A Spanish class has a total of 37 students. The number of males is 9 more than the number of females. How many males and how many females are in the class?

Question

 A Spanish class has a total of
37
students. The number of males is
9
more than the number of females. How many males and how many females are in the class? 

Answer 1

Let x = the number of females

Let y = the number of males

x + y = 37

y = x + 9     Substitute this equation into the preceding equation.

x + x + 9 = 37

2x + 9 = 37      Subtract 9 from both sides.

      2x = 28       Divide both sides by 2.

         x = 14 females

  x + y = 37

14 + y = 37      Subtract 14 from both sides.

         y = 23 males