Betty gave 3 buttons to every girl and 5 buttons to every boy in her class. There were 5 more girls than boys in the class. She gave away a total of 135 buttons.
- How many children were there in the class?
- How many less buttons were given to the girls than the boys?
(a)
There were more girls than boys in class.
If we remove the 5 extra girls, the number of girls and boys will be the same.
Betty would give away less buttons.
Number of less buttons that Betty needed to give away if there was 5 less girls
= 5 x 3
= 15
Number of buttons she would need if there was 5 less girls
= 135 - 15
= 120
Number of buttons to give for every 1 girl and 1 boy
= 3 + 5
= 8
Number of sets of 1 girl and 1 boy
= 120 ÷ 8
= 15
Number of boys = 15
Number of girls
= 15 + 5
= 20
Number of children
= 15 + 20
= 35
(b)
Number of buttons given to the girls
= 20 x 3
= 60
Number of buttons given to the boys
= 15 x 5
= 75
Number of less buttons given to the girls than the boys
= 75 - 60
= 15
Answer(s): (a) 35; (b) 15