Xandra gave 5 buttons to every girl and 6 buttons to every boy in her class. There were 2 more girls than boys in the class. She gave away 32 more buttons to the boys than the girls.
- How many children were there in the class?
- How many buttons were there altogether?
(a)
There were 2 more girls than boys.
If we remove the 2 extra girls, the number of girls and boys will be the same.
The difference in the number of buttons given between the girls and boys will increase.
Increase in the difference of the number of buttons if there were 2 less girls
= 2 x 5
= 10
Total difference in the number of buttons between the girls and the boys
= 32 + 10
= 42
Number of more buttons given to each girl than each boy
= 6 - 5
= 1
Number of sets of 1 girl and 1 boy
= 42 ÷ 1
= 42
Number of boys = 42
Number of girls
= 42 + 2
= 44
Number of children
= 42 + 44
= 86
(b)
Total number of buttons
= 42 x 6 + 44 x 5
= 252 + 220
= 472
Answer(s): (a) 86; (b) 472
