Can Somebody help me with this basic maths?

[2022IamHavingYa]

Sorry, I am bright I promise, I just can't do maths.

I am writing a uni assignment (which I will try my hardest on) but was talking to a colleague who is struggling a bit. It is an exam and an assignment for a combined grade. So please, could somebody help me with mine and my friends scores?

Part 1 is an exam worth 70% of the overall grade.
Part 2 is an assignment worth 30% of the overall grade.

To pass, we need to get an overall 70% across both pieces. So based on one of us having 78% on the exam and the other having 98% on the exam, what percentage do we need on the assignment to get the overall 70%? Each element needs a minimum score of 40% to count.

I hope that makes sense? Thank you!

I think the person who got 78% in the exam would need to get 51.4% in the assessment
The person who got 99% in the exam would only actually need to get 4.6% in the assessment to make up to the 70% but would need to get the minimum score of 40% for it to count

My calculations come out exactly the same as simonthedog
Looks like you’ve both done well and a pass is doable for you both.
Good luck.

Thank you! I just couldn't get my brain to work that out!

I agree. The person with 98% in the exam just needs to get the minimum 40% in the assignment, whilst the person with 78% in the exam needs just short of 52% in the assignment (so about 15.4 of the available 30 points).

70%xscore1 + 30%xscore2 must be >70

0.70 x 78 + 0.3 x Y > 70
and for the other person
0.7 x 98 + 0.3 x Z >70

Y > [70 - (0.7 x 78) ]/0.3
Z > [70 - (0.7 x 98)]/0.3

The equation is 0.7x + 0.3y = 0.7

For the person who got 78% on the first part, it's (0.780.7) + (0.3y) = 0.7. Solving the equation gives a minimum pass mark of 51.3% for the second part.

For the person who got 98% in the first part, using the same equation, you get 4.6% like @simonthedog says, but they need to get the minimum of 40% to pass.

Nothing to add, just really lovely to see MNetters being so helpful . Good luck on the assignment OP!