Of the 95 fifth and sixth graders going on a field trip there are 27 more 5th graders than sixth graders how many 5th graders are going on the field trip

Ah! Classic algebra. If it is unfamiliar to you, don't panic, but just keep in mind it is very common after middle school and is very easy once you really understand it. So 95 fifth and sixth graders are scheduled to go on the coolest field trip ever and you are told that there are 27 more fifth graders than sixth graders on the trip. Since we are not told how many 6th graders are going on the trip let's use a variable, the letter "x". Now let's understand the problem in the "math" language. x = the number of 6th graders. X+27 = the number of 5th graders since there are 27 more fifth graders than sixth graders. So how many students are going on this field trip? Oh right 95. So add up your phrases: x (the number of 6th graders) + x+27 (the number of 5th graders) = 95 (students)

x+x+27 = 95

2x+27=95

-27 - 27

2x + 0 = 68

2x=68

divide by 2 on both sides.

x = 34

Now remember how x+27 = the number of 5th graders going on the trip?

Since we know that x=34, substitute the x as 34+27 which = 61 fifth graders going on the trip.