PSLE
At first, the ratio of the number of girls to the number of boys in a kindergarten was 5 : 4. After 35 girls and 35 boys left the kindergarten, the ratio became 5 : 3.

1. Did the percentage of students who were girls increase (1), decrease (2) or remain the same (3)? Give your answer in number. (Eg Increase = 1)
2. At first, how many students were there in the kindergarten?

	Boys	Girls	Difference	Total
Before	4x2 = 8 u	5x2  = 10 u	1x2 = 2 u	8 u + 10 u = 18 u
Change	- 35	- 35
After	3x1 = 3 u	5x1 = 5 u	2x1 = 2 u	3 u + 5 u = 8 u

(a)
35 girls and 35 boys left the kindergarten. There was equal number of girls and boys who left the kindergarten.

Since the decrease in number of students in both groups is the same, the difference between the number of girls and boys remains unchanged.

We make the difference between the number of girls and boys at first and in the end the same.
LCM of 1 and 2 = 2 u

Percent of students who were girls at first
= ¹⁰₁₈ x 100%
≈ 56% (Round off to whole number.)

Percent of students who are girls in the end
= ⁵₈ x 100%
≈ 63% (Round off to whole number.)

Percent of students who were girls increased from 56% to 63%. (1)

(b)
Decrease in the number of girls
= 5 u - 10 u
= 5 u

5 u = 35

1 u = 35 ÷ 5 = 7

Number of students at first
= 18 u
= 18 x 7
= 126

Answer(s): (a) 1; (b) 126