what is the formula for solving the following word problem? In Allison's class, there are 23 more boys than girls. If there are a total of 81 students in the class, how many girls are in the class?

Question

what is the formula for solving the following  word problem?  In Allison's class, there are 23 more boys than girls. If there are a total of 81 students in the class, how many girls are in the class?

anonymous · Answer

Define some variables.
B = number of boys
G = number of girls
B = G+23

anonymous · Answer

thank you ----I've tried backsolving but wanted a more algebraic  approach--52 +n=81 but I get stuck from that point.

anonymous · Answer

I see this is  a  great help.

pfenn1 · Answer

You know
B=G + 23
You also know the number of girls and boys together = 81
B + G=81
substitute in for B and solve for G