Mary gave 3 beads to every girl and 7 beads to every boy in her class. There were 5 more girls than boys in the class. She gave away a total of 205 beads.
- How many children were there in the class?
- How many less beads 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.
Mary would give away less beads.
Number of less beads that Mary needed to give away if there was 5 less girls
= 5 x 3
= 15
Number of beads she would need if there was 5 less girls
= 205 - 15
= 190
Number of beads to give for every 1 girl and 1 boy
= 3 + 7
= 10
Number of sets of 1 girl and 1 boy
= 190 ÷ 10
= 19
Number of boys = 19
Number of girls
= 19 + 5
= 24
Number of children
= 19 + 24
= 43
(b)
Number of beads given to the girls
= 24 x 3
= 72
Number of beads given to the boys
= 19 x 7
= 133
Number of less beads given to the girls than the boys
= 133 - 72
= 61
Answer(s): (a) 43; (b) 61
