In a recruitment process, the selection of candidates is based on their performance in three components. The weightages of the components 1, 2 and 3 are 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5, respectively. Use the data given below and find the cutoff score if exactly three candidates are to be selected :

Candidate | Score in component 1 | Score in component 2 | Score in component 3
1 | 5 | 4 | 6
2 | 4 | 6 | 5
3 | 3 | 2 | 8
4 | 9 | 4 | 3
5 | 8 | 8 | 2

Correct Answer: (A) 5.1

Computing the weighted score for each candidate using the formula $\text{Score}=0.2C_1+0.3C_2+0.5C_3$$\text{Score}$ = 0.2 C_1 + 0.3 C_2 + 0.5 C_3: Candidate 1 scores $0.2(5) + 0.3(4) + 0.5(6) = 5.2$; Candidate 2 scores $0.2(4) + 0.3(6) + 0.5(5) = 5.1$; Candidate 3 scores $0.2(3) + 0.3(2) + 0.5(8) = 5.2$; Candidate 4 scores $0.2(9) + 0.3(4) + 0.5(3) = 4.5$; and Candidate 5 scores $0.2(8) + 0.3(8) + 0.5(2) = 5.0$. Ranking the candidates in descending order: Candidate 1 (5.2), Candidate 3 (5.2), Candidate 2 (5.1), Candidate 5 (5.0), Candidate 4 (4.5). To select exactly three candidates (Candidates 1, 3, and 2), the cutoff score must be 5.1.