The school band is comprised of middle school students and high school students, but it always has the same maximum capacity. Last year the ratio of the number of middle school students to the number of high school students was 1:8. However, this year the ratio of the number of middle school students to the number of high school students changed to 2:7. If there are 18 middle school students in the band this year, how many fewer high school students are in the band this year compared to last year? Expain.

this year:

middle : high = 2 : 7 = 2x : 7x
2x = 18
x = 9
so this year we have 18 high and 63 middle
for a total of 81 students

last year:
middle : high = 1:8 = y : 8y

but y + 8y = 81
y = 9
So last year we had 9 middle and 72 high school students

So difference in high = 72-63 or 9 high school students fewer

I really think it is 72-63 or 9

i think 9 is right

23 middle school

help pls

No it's 12 because you convert the 720 to get 120 then get 16-4=12

Luke is right

Luke is right

Yea his response is valid

I agree with everyone Luke is right