Ecology Contest: Math Problem Solved In Two Ways!

Hey guys! So, we've got a cool math problem to tackle today, and it's all about an ecology contest. Here's the scoop: 120 girls and 130 boys signed up. But wait, not everyone made it! 13 girls and 24 boys had to drop out. The big question is: How many kids actually participated in the contest? Let's break it down and solve this problem in a couple of fun ways. Get ready to flex those math muscles! This is gonna be a breeze, I promise.

Method 1: Step-by-step Calculation

Alright, let's get down to business and figure this out step by step. This method is super straightforward, perfect for anyone who likes to keep things nice and organized. We'll start with the total number of kids who initially signed up, then subtract those who didn't make it. Easy peasy, right? It's like a math adventure – we're detectives solving a puzzle! So, grab your pencils and let's dive in. Remember, understanding each step is key, and you'll be acing this problem in no time.

First, let's figure out the total number of girls who actually participated. We started with 120 girls, but 13 dropped out. To find out how many stayed in, we subtract those who dropped out from the original number: 120 - 13 = 107 girls. See? Not so hard, yeah?

Next, we do the same thing for the boys. We began with 130 boys, and 24 of them had to pull out. So, we subtract: 130 - 24 = 106 boys.

Now, we have the number of girls who participated (107) and the number of boys who participated (106). To find the total number of kids who showed up for the contest, we simply add those two numbers together: 107 + 106 = 213. Bam! We've got our answer. There were a total of 213 kids who took part in the ecology contest. See, it wasn't that bad, right? This method is all about breaking the problem into smaller, manageable steps. It's like building with LEGOs – piece by piece, until you have something awesome!

To recap, we first calculated the number of girls who participated by subtracting the number of girls who withdrew from the initial number of girls who registered. Then, we did the same for the boys. Finally, we added the number of participating girls and boys to find the total number of participants. This step-by-step approach ensures we don't miss anything and makes the problem super clear. This is a great way to solve any problem, honestly. Remember to stay organized and take your time – you got this!

Breakdown of Method 1

• Girls who participated: 120 (initial) - 13 (withdrew) = 107 girls
• Boys who participated: 130 (initial) - 24 (withdrew) = 106 boys
• Total participants: 107 (girls) + 106 (boys) = 213 children

Method 2: Combining Subtractions

Alright, guys, let's kick things up a notch with our second method. This time, we're going to be a bit more efficient and combine some of our calculations. Instead of doing things step by step, we'll figure out the total number of kids who withdrew and then subtract that from the grand total of those who signed up. This approach is awesome for those who like to streamline their work and get to the answer a bit faster. It's all about finding smart shortcuts, like a secret math ninja! Are you ready? Let's do it!

First off, we need to find out how many kids dropped out altogether. We know that 13 girls and 24 boys withdrew. So, we simply add those numbers together: 13 + 24 = 37. This means 37 kids didn't make it to the contest. Got it? Okay, awesome.

Next, let's figure out the total number of kids who originally signed up. We have 120 girls and 130 boys. Adding those together, we get: 120 + 130 = 250. So, a whopping 250 kids initially registered for the contest. Nice!

Now, we subtract the number of kids who didn't participate (37) from the total number who signed up (250). That gives us: 250 - 37 = 213. And there it is! We still get the same answer: 213 kids participated in the contest. Amazing, right? We get the same result, just with a slightly different approach. This method is all about recognizing how different parts of the problem relate to each other, allowing us to make smarter calculations.

In short, we first calculated the total number of kids who withdrew by adding the number of girls and boys who withdrew. Then, we calculated the total number of initial participants by adding the initial number of girls and boys. Finally, we subtracted the total number of withdrawals from the total number of initial participants. This streamlined approach is all about efficient problem-solving, and it's super useful for more complex problems. So, pat yourselves on the back – you’re doing great!

Breakdown of Method 2

• Total withdrawals: 13 (girls) + 24 (boys) = 37 children
• Total initial participants: 120 (girls) + 130 (boys) = 250 children
• Total participants: 250 (initial) - 37 (withdrew) = 213 children

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Alright, folks, we've reached the finish line! We successfully solved the ecology contest problem in two different ways, and guess what? We got the same answer both times: 213 kids participated in the contest. Awesome, right? This shows you that there's usually more than one way to solve a math problem, and it's all about finding the method that clicks best for you.

Whether you prefer the step-by-step method or the combined subtraction approach, the key is to understand the problem, break it down, and take your time. Don’t rush – careful calculations are way more important than speed. Remember to double-check your work, especially when you’re learning new methods. Both methods were great, right? They both led us to the right answer, so high-five!

Let's sum up the key takeaways:

• Understand the problem: Make sure you know what the question is asking. Read the problem carefully. Don't just skim; understand what's going on.
• Break it down: Split the problem into smaller, manageable steps. This makes it easier to solve.
• Choose your method: Decide which method works best for you. Both methods work, so pick the one you like.
• Double-check: Always go back and check your work to avoid any errors.
• Practice makes perfect: The more you practice, the better you'll become at solving math problems. So keep at it!

Keep practicing and exploring different ways to solve problems. The more you practice, the easier it will become. Math is all about building confidence and having fun. So, keep up the awesome work, and I'll see you in the next math adventure! Until then, stay curious, keep learning, and never stop asking questions. You guys are amazing!