Yes.

Gary (who is a boy) shook hands with 24 other boys and 6 girls (including Jessica) .

Jessica (who is a girl) shook hands with 25 other boys(including Gary) and 5 girls.

Total boys = 25
Total girls = 6

What is to be realised is that the number of children excluding Gary = number of children excluding Jessica.

Total number
= 1(Gary) + 4u(boys) + 1u(girls)
= 1 + 5u

Total number also
= 1(Jessica) + 5p(boys) + 1p(girls)
= 1 + 6p

So 5u = 6p

Since they represent the same number of children , make the number of units/parts equal.


5 x 6 = 30
6 x 5 = 30

So we can say :

5p = 30 children
→ 1p = 30 children ÷ 5 = 6 children

6u = 30 children
→ 1u = 30 children ÷ 6 = 5 children


Total = 30 + 1 = 31