After 3 semesters in college, Jim has a 0 GPA. What GPA must Jim attain in his fourth semester if he wishes to raise his GPA to a 1?

To solve an averages problem, you should multiply for the products of the average.

In this case, a 3.0 GPA after 3 semesters gives us 9. (3 times 3.)

We also know that after the fourth semester, the cumulative GPA is supposed to be a 3.1.

Hence, this multiplier’s product is 12.4. (3.1 times 4.)

Subtracting 9 from 12.4 gives you GPA  3.4.