Asa received scores of 72 , 97 , and 82 on her last three math tests. She needs a mean test score of 82 to qualify for the math team. What is the first step in determining how many points she needs on her next test to qualify for the team?

First determine the total number of points Asa needs across all four tests to average 82. Since she will have four test scores, multiply 82 by 4; then she can subtract her current total to find the score needed on the next test. Choice A describes this first step. Finding the average of the first three tests does not directly establish the required total for all four tests.

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