Question

There are 320 students
36 more boys than girls
work out the fraction of boys to girls

Answer 1

Substitute boys in the equation for b and girls g
b+g=320
b=g+36 (because there are 36 more boys than girls)
g+36+g=320
2g+36=320
2g=320-36
2g=284
g=284/2
g=142
Since b=g+36
b=142+36
b=178

Answer 2

89 boys to 71 girls, 89:71, or 89/71

Explanation:

x+x+36=320

2x+36=320

2x=284

x=142

This means that there are 142 girls.

142+36=178 boys

Simplify the fraction by dividing both numbers by two.