If the mean score of 8 players is
14.5, then the total of all 8 scores is
14.5×8=116. If the mean of
7 scores is
12, then the total of all 7 scores is
12×7=84. Since the set of 7 scores was made by removing the highest score of the set of 8 scores, then the difference between the total of all 8 scores and the total of all 7 scores is equal to the removed score:
116−84=32.Choice A is incorrect because if 20 is removed from the group of 8 scores, then the mean score of the remaining 7 players is
≈13.71,, not 12. Choice B is incorrect because if 24 is removed from the group of 8 scores, then the mean score of the remaining 7 players is
≈13.14 , not 12. Choice D is incorrect because if 36 is removed from the group of 8 scores, then the mean score of the remaining 7 players is
≈11.43 is not 12