Question

a biology class has a total of 33 students. the number of females is 7 less than the number of males. how many males and how many females are in the class?
number of males:
number of females:

Explanation:

Step1: Define variables

Let \( m \) be the number of males and \( f \) be the number of females.

Step2: Set up equations

We know two things: the total number of students is 33, so \( m + f = 33 \). Also, the number of females is 7 less than the number of males, so \( f = m - 7 \).

Step3: Substitute and solve for \( m \)

Substitute \( f = m - 7 \) into \( m + f = 33 \):
\( m+(m - 7)=33 \)
Simplify: \( 2m-7 = 33 \)
Add 7 to both sides: \( 2m=33 + 7=40 \)
Divide by 2: \( m=\frac{40}{2}=20 \)

Step4: Solve for \( f \)

Use \( f = m - 7 \), so \( f=20 - 7 = 13 \)

Answer:

Number of males: 20
Number of females: 13