The class is made up of male and female students.
"A drama class has a total of 26 students"
f + m = 26
"The number of females is 16 less than the number of males"
f = m - 16
Substitute the second equation into the first.
m - 16 + m = 26
- combine like terms -
2m - 16 = 26
- add 16 to both sides -
2m = 42
- divide by 2 -
m = 21
Now substitute that answer into either equation
f + 21 = 26
- subtract both sides by 21 -
f = 5
Remember that whatever you do to one side, you have to do to the other
