Final answer:
In the class of 25 members, with 15 taking history, 17 taking geography, and 3 taking neither, 13 class members take both subjects according to the principle of inclusion-exclusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the number of class members that take both history and geography, we can use the principle of inclusion-exclusion. The formula is:
Total = (Number taking History) + (Number taking Geography) - (Number taking Both) + (Number taking Neither)
Since we are given that the class has 25 members, 15 take history, 17 take geography, and 3 take neither, we plug these values into the formula:
25 = 15 + 17 - (Number taking Both) + 3
Then, we solve for the number taking both subjects:
25 = 35 - (Number taking Both) + 3
25 = 38 - (Number taking Both)
(Number taking Both) = 38 - 25
(Number taking Both) = 13
Therefore, 13 class members take both history and geography.