Question

The ratio of boys to girls in a class is 5:3. There are 32 students in the class. How many students are boys?

Answer 1

5x+3x=8x

8x = 32

x=32/8 = 4

boys are 4 x 5 = 20

girls are 4 x 3 = 12

Explanation:

Answer 2

Add the ratios together: 5 + 3 = 8

Divide total students by 8:

32 / 8 = 4

Multiply each ratio by 4 to find the number of each:

Boys = 4 x 5 = 20

Girls = 3 x 4 = 12

There are 20 boys.