SOLUTION: An equal number of boys and girls attended a birthday party. When 16 girls left, there were 5 times as many boys as girls. How many girls attended the birthday party at first?

Question 956199: An equal number of boys and girls attended a birthday party. When 16 girls left, there were 5 times as many boys as girls. How many girls attended the birthday party at first?
Found 2 solutions by stanbon, josmiceli:
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
An equal number of boys and girls attended a birthday party. When 16 girls left, there were 5 times as many boys as girls. How many girls attended the birthday party at first?
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Equations:
b = g
5(g-16) = b
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Substitute for "g" and solve for "b":
5(b-16) = b
5b - 80 = b
4b = 80
b = 20 (# of boys)
Ans: g = b = 20 (# of girls that attended at first)
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let = number of boys and
= number of girls
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At the start,

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After girls leave,

----------------------

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Since

and

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20 girls attended at first
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check:

OK

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