There are 1170 students in a school. The ratio of girls to boys is 23:22. Write a system of equations to model this problem. Solve the system.

Answer 1

Let G be the total number of girls i the school, and let B be the total number of boys.

Then our ratio for girls is G / 1170 = 23 / 45, or G = 1170 * 23 / 45 = 598.

Similarly, the ratio for boys is B = 1170 * 22 / 45 = 572.

Answer 2

Since the ratio g:b = 23:22, we let x represent the unknown part.

g+b = 1170 and g=22x and b=23x

So 22x+23x=1170.

45x = 1170, so x = 26 g = 22(26) = 572, and b = 23(26)=598