Mildred Pandlebottom has the same number of sisters as she has brothers. But her brother Gaylord has half as many brothers as he has sisters. How many boys and girls are there in the Pandlebottom family?
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S = Sisters, B = Brothers
From the first statement we can say there is one more Sister than Brother so S - B = 1
From the second statement we can say that double the Brothers equals the Sisters so we can say that 2*B = S but then there is Gaylord himself so we adjust and say that the total number of siblings is
2*(B-1) = S or 2B - 2 = S. Rewriting the first equation S - B = 1 gives us S = B + 1.
Substituting 2B - 2 = S = B + 1
B = 3 so S = 4, or 3 brothers and 4 sisters, Q.E.D.
From the first statement we can say there is one more Sister than Brother so S - B = 1
From the second statement we can say that double the Brothers equals the Sisters so we can say that 2*B = S but then there is Gaylord himself so we adjust and say that the total number of siblings is
2*(B-1) = S or 2B - 2 = S. Rewriting the first equation S - B = 1 gives us S = B + 1.
Substituting 2B - 2 = S = B + 1
B = 3 so S = 4, or 3 brothers and 4 sisters, Q.E.D.
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Let's say Mildred has 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Gaylord has 1 brother and 3 sisters. Doesn't work.
Let's say Mildred has 3 brothers and 3 sisters. Gaylord has 2 brothers and 4 sisters. Works.
Answer: There are 3 boys and 4 girls.
Let's say Mildred has 3 brothers and 3 sisters. Gaylord has 2 brothers and 4 sisters. Works.
Answer: There are 3 boys and 4 girls.
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There are 4 girls and 3 boys.
Mildred has 3 sisters and 3 brothers.
Gaylord has 4 sisters and 2 brothers.
Mildred has 3 sisters and 3 brothers.
Gaylord has 4 sisters and 2 brothers.
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B = Boy Bg = Gaylord
G = Girl Gm = Mildred
Family is
BB Bg and Gm GGG
3 Boys and 4 Girls
G = Girl Gm = Mildred
Family is
BB Bg and Gm GGG
3 Boys and 4 Girls