Question

A batsman is out for 26 runs, which raises his batting average for the season from 15 to 16. How many runs would he have had to have scored to raise his average to 20?​

Answer 1

Answer:

Batting average = Total runs / No. of dismissals

If x were the no. of dismissals up to that point in the season when his average was 15, then:

(15x + 26) / (x + 1) = 16

x would thus equal 10, or he had been dismissed 10 times in the season, had scored 150 runs, and got out for 26 in his next innings, raising his tally to 176 runs for the season at an average of 16 (11 dismissals).

If he were to raise his average to 20, he has two options:

Score 50 and remain not out (raising his tally to 200 runs for 10 dismissals);

Or, score 70 and be dismissed (raising his tally to 220 runs for 11 dismissals).