Answer:
72
Explanation:
Since there are 18 more boys than girls, we know that in the ratio 5:3, 5 is for boys and 3 is for girls.
Now, we can set up a proportion to first find the number of girls.
Let's name the number of girls x.
The number of boys is x+18.
3/5=x/x+18
Cross multiply.
5x=3(x+18)
Distribute.
5x=3x+54
Subtract 3x from both sides.
2x=54
Divide both sides by 2.
x=27
There are 27 girls.
We know that there are 18 more boys that girls.
27+18=45
There are 45 boys.
Add the number of boys and girls together to find total number of people.
27+45=72
There are 72 people in total.