Question

A biology class has a total of 35 students. The number of females is 11 less than the number of males. How many males and how many females are in the class?

Answer 1

23 males and 12 females

Explanation:

x = # of females

y = # of males

x + y = 35

x + x + 11 = 35

2x + 11 =35 (SUBTRACT 11 FROM BOTH SIDES)

2x = 24 (DIVIDE BOTH SIDES BY 2)

x = 12 females

x + y =35

12 + y = 35 (SUBTRACT 12 FROM BOTH SIDES)

y = 23 males

23 males + 12 females = 35 students