Question 306292
If there is a ratio of 5:3 (boys to girls) at the graduation, then 12 more girls
 arrive, the new ratio changes to 10:9 (boys to girls).
 How many students are at the graduation now. 
:
let t = total students at the grad now
:
5:3 means 5/8 are boys, 3/8 are girls
and
10:9 means 10/19 are boys, 9/19 are girls
:
{{{3/8}}}*(t - 12) + 12 = {{{9/19}}}t
multiply equation by 152 (8*19), results:
:
19*3(t-12) + 12(152) = 8*9t
57(t-12) + 1824 = 72t
57t - 684 + 1824 = 72t
1140 = 72t - 57t
1140 = 15t
t = 1140/15
t = 76 in the grad class now
:
:
see if this makes sense
76-12 = 64 originally in the class
then; 3/8(64) = 24 girls
and
9/19(76) = 36 girls, a difference of 12, confirms our solution