In a class, there are 40 students. Their average marks in a test are 33. If the average marks of the boys are 30 and that of the girls are 35, then what is the number of boys in the class?
Step 1: Define variables.
Let number of boys = \(b\).
Then number of girls = \(40 - b\).
Step 2: Write total marks in two ways.
Total marks = \(30b + 35(40 - b)\).
Also total marks = average × total students = \(33 \times 40 = 1320\).
Step 3: Form equation.
\(30b + 1400 - 35b = 1320\).
\(-5b + 1400 = 1320\).
\(-5b = -80\).
\(b = 16\).