GMAT Focus EditionData InsightsMedium
A city planner is evaluating proposals for new public transportation routes. The proposals are scored based on three criteria: Ridership Potential (RP), Cost-Effectiveness (CE), and Environmental Impact (EI). The city has assigned weights to each criterion: RP (40%), CE (35%), EI (25%). The scores for each proposal (out of 100) are as follows: | Proposal | Ridership Potential (RP) | Cost-Effectiveness (CE) | Environmental Impact (EI) | |---|---|---|---| | Route A | 75 | 80 | 60 | | Route B | 90 | 65 | 70 | | Route C | 80 | 70 | 85 | Which proposal has the highest weighted average score, and what is that score?
- ARoute B, 80.5
- BRoute A, 72.5
- CRoute C, 78.75
- DRoute B, 76.25
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Route B, 76.25
To find the highest weighted average score, multiply each criterion's score by its assigned weight for each proposal, sum these products, and then identify the proposal with the highest total.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Route B's score is 76.25, not 80.5. This option is incorrect.
- B. Route A: (75*0.40) + (80*0.35) + (60*0.25) = 30 + 28 + 15 = 73. This is not the highest. This option is incorrect.
- C. Route C: (80*0.40) + (70*0.35) + (85*0.25) = 32 + 24.5 + 21.25 = 77.75. This is not the highest. This option is incorrect.
Weighted Average Scoring
Weighted average scoring involves assigning different levels of importance (weights) to various criteria and then combining them to get a single overall score.
- Used in decision-making processes where not all factors are equally important.
- Each score is multiplied by its weight, and the products are summed.
- The sum of weights typically equals 100% or 1.
Memory trick: When making decisions, some factors just 'weigh' more than others.