Sarah gave 2 pens to every girl and 3 pens to every boy in her class. There were 3 more girls than boys in the class. She gave away a total of 76 pens.
- How many children were there in the class?
- How many less pens were given to the girls than the boys?
(a)
There were more girls than boys in class.
If we remove the 3 extra girls, the number of girls and boys will be the same.
Sarah would give away less pens.
Number of less pens that Sarah needed to give away if there was 3 less girls
= 3 x 2
= 6
Number of pens she would need if there was 3 less girls
= 76 - 6
= 70
Number of pens to give for every 1 girl and 1 boy
= 2 + 3
= 5
Number of sets of 1 girl and 1 boy
= 70 ÷ 5
= 14
Number of boys = 14
Number of girls
= 14 + 3
= 17
Number of children
= 14 + 17
= 31
(b)
Number of pens given to the girls
= 17 x 2
= 34
Number of pens given to the boys
= 14 x 3
= 42
Number of less pens given to the girls than the boys
= 42 - 34
= 8
Answer(s): (a) 31; (b) 8
