Lucy gave 3 buttons to every boy and 5 buttons to every girl in her class. There were 3 more boys than girls in the class. She gave away a total of 129 buttons.
- How many children were there in the class?
- How many less buttons were given to the boys than the girls?
(a)
There were more boys than girls in class.
If we remove the 3 extra boys, the number of boys and girls will be the same.
Lucy would give away less buttons.
Number of less buttons that Lucy needed to give away if there was 3 less boys
= 3 x 3
= 9
Number of buttons she would need if there was 3 less boys
= 129 - 9
= 120
Number of buttons to give for every 1 boy and 1 girl
= 3 + 5
= 8
Number of sets of 1 boy and 1 girl
= 120 ÷ 8
= 15
Number of girls = 15
Number of boys
= 15 + 3
= 18
Number of children
= 15 + 18
= 33
(b)
Number of buttons given to the boys
= 18 x 3
= 54
Number of buttons given to the girls
= 15 x 5
= 75
Number of less buttons given to the boys than the girls
= 75 - 54
= 21
Answer(s): (a) 33; (b) 21
