Maths problem - Stuck

Question

There are 700 pupils enrolled at school. There are 37 more girls than boys. How many boys are there? How many girls are there?

Answer 1

b = boys p = b + g and we know there are 37 more g than b, we also know p = 700.

g = girls --> g - b = 37, add b to 37 to create value for g.

p=pupils --> g = 37 + b, substitute new value, g, into original equation in bold above.

--> p = b + 37 + b, combine like terms.

--> p = 2b + 37, add known value for p.

--> 700 = 2b + 37, subtract 37 from 200.

--> 663 = 2b, divide 663 by 2.

--> 331.5 = b, substitute b into equation g - b = 37.

--> g - 331.5 = 37, add 331.5 to 37.

--> g = 368.5

Ultimately, the question is poorly worded and without an answer since you can't have 331.5 boys and 368.5 girls, but this should help explain the process for answering questions of this type.