Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test 2025 – Complete Practice Resource

To find the average of three numbers in a group of four, where the total sum is given as 48, you first need to understand how to calculate an average. The average is determined by dividing the total sum of the numbers by the quantity of numbers.

In this case, while there are four numbers, the question is asking for the average of three specific numbers. If we assume the total sum of the four numbers is 48, then to find the average of three numbers, it would typically involve either knowing their specific total or assuming they’re representative of the total.

If we take the total of 48 and divide it by 4 (the total count of numbers), we get 12. Based on the task's request, you need the average sum of three out of these four. Thus, it can be inferred that if one of them is disregarded, the average of the three remaining numbers could reasonably still center around the overall average of 12.

This makes the average of the three numbers stand at 12, which aligns with option B. Having understood that the average of a subset can reflect proportionately, the selection of 12 demonstrates its validity as an expected average for three of four numbers summing to 48.