Let the total number of tests be \( n \) and the overall average score be \( A \). Let's break down the problem:
1. When the first 10 tests (average = 20) are not considered, the average rises by 1.
2. When the last 10 tests (average = 30) are omitted, the average falls by 1.
These conditions can be expressed with equations:
1. \((A + 1)(n - 10) = An - 200\)
2. \((A - 1)(n - 10) = An - 300\)
Let's solve for \( A \) and \( n \):
Expanding the first equation gives:
\( An - 10A + n - 10 = An - 200 \)
\( n - 10A - 10 = -200 \)
\( n - 10A = -190 \)
From the second equation:
\( An - 10A - n + 10 = An - 300 \)
\(-n - 10A + 10 = -300 \)
\( -n - 10A = -310 \)
Now we have the equations:
\( n - 10A = -190 \)
\(-n - 10A = -310 \)
Add these to eliminate \( n \):
\( (n - 10A) + (-n - 10A) = -190 + (-310) \)
\(-20A = -500\)
\( A = 25 \)
Substitute \( A = 25 \) back into \( n - 10A = -190 \):
\( n - 10(25) = -190 \)
\( n - 250 = -190 \)
\( n = 60 \)
The total number of tests taken is \( 60 \). This value falls within the expected range of 60, confirming accuracy.