Question 1164058
<br>
With formal algebra....<br>
Let x = number of boys
Then x+107 = number of girls<br>
The total number in the class is 379:<br>
{{{x+x+107 = 379}}}<br>
Finish using basic algebra....<br>
Informally, without algebra....<br>
(1) Take away the "extra" 107 girls; that leaves 379-107 = 272 students, with equal numbers of boys and girls.
(2) So the number of boys is 272/2 = 136.<br>
The problem only asked for the number of boys, so you are done.<br>
Obviously, if they had asked also for the number of girls, it would be 136, plus the 107 that you took away earlier.<br>