Mr Simon wants to put all 36 boys and 60 girls into groups for an activity. There are more girls than boys in each group. Each group must have the same number of boys. Each group must also have the same number of girls.
- What is the greatest number of groups Mr Simon can form with these conditions?
- How many students are in each group?
(a)
Factors of 36 = 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36
Factors of 60 = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, 60
Greatest number of groups Mr Simon can form
= Highest common factor of 36 and 60
= 12
(b)
Number of boys in each group = 36 ÷ 12 = 3
Number of girls in each group = 60 ÷ 12 = 5
Number of students in each group
= 3 + 5
= 8
Answer(s): (a) 12; (b) 8