Julie gave 3 erasers to every girl and 4 erasers to every boy in her class. There were 7 more girls than boys in the class. She gave away 12 more erasers to the boys than the girls.
- How many children were there in the class?
- How many erasers were there altogether?
(a)
There were 7 more girls than boys.
If we remove the 7 extra girls, the number of girls and boys will be the same.
The difference in the number of erasers given between the girls and boys will increase.
Increase in the difference of the number of erasers if there were 7 less girls
= 7 x 3
= 21
Total difference in the number of erasers between the girls and the boys
= 12 + 21
= 33
Number of more erasers given to each girl than each boy
= 4 - 3
= 1
Number of sets of 1 girl and 1 boy
= 33 ÷ 1
= 33
Number of boys = 33
Number of girls
= 33 + 7
= 40
Number of children
= 33 + 40
= 73
(b)
Total number of erasers
= 33 x 4 + 40 x 3
= 132 + 120
= 252
Answer(s): (a) 73; (b) 252
