Question

During a public participation gathering, there were 4x women, 8y men and 160 youths. The number of men was 120 less than that of women. In total, 600 people attended the meeting

  1. Find the values of x and y
  2. How many men attended the meeting


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Answer

We are told:

Number of women = 4x

Number of men = 8y

Number of youths = 160

The number of men was 120 less than women:

 8y = 4x − 120

Total number of people = 600:

 4x + 8y + 160 = 600


Step 1: Use the first equation to express one variable

We have:

8y = 4x −120

y = 4x−120

          8

y = x - 30   OR  y  =  x/2 - 15

         2


Step 2: Substitute into the total equation

Total equation: 4x + 8y + 160 = 600

Substitute y= x/2 −15

4x + 8(x/− 15) + 160 = 600


Simplify:

4x + 4x − 120 + 160 = 600

8x + 40 = 600

8x = 560

x=70


Step 3: Find y

y = x/− 15

y = 70/− 15

y = 35 −15 = 20

y = 20


Step 4: Find the number of men

Number of men = 8y = 8 × 20 = 160


Final Answers:

x = 70, y = 20x

Number of men = 160

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