2410.23 – Igor's Foul Shots

Igor, on the varsity basketball team, has made 36 of his 80 foul shots so far this season. What is his percent accuracy?

How many foul shots must he make in a row to bring his average up to 50 percent?

Solution

Igor’s percent accuracy is 36/80 = .45 = 45 percent so far.

Let's have him make xx more shots:

36+x80+x=50\frac{36+x}{80+x}=50 percent=0.50=12 = 0.50 =\frac{1}{2} ; more concisely, 36+x80+x=12\frac{36+x}{80+x}=\frac{1}{2}

2(36 + x) = 1(80 + x)

72 + 2x = 80 + x

So x = 8.

Now, can he do it? The pressure is building.