In a class of 40 students, 25 take math, 20 take physics, and 10 take both. How many students take neither subject?

Mon, 04 May 2026 06:23:20 +0000

**In a class of 40 students, 25 take math, 20 take physics, and 10 take both. How many students take neither subject?** In today’s evolving academic landscape, curious minds often explore how subject choices shape opportunities—especially in core STEM fields. In a class of 40 students, with 25 diving into math and 20 tackling physics, a natural question arises: how many students engage with neither subject? This isn’t just a classroom curiosity—it reflects broader trends in student priorities, career planning, and educational engagement across the U.S. With increasing emphasis on STEM proficiency and shifting student interests, tracking enrollment in key subjects helps chart intellectual pathways. The data from a typical 40-student classroom reveals that 25 choose math, 20 select physics, and a notable overlap of 10 students studying both. This overlap highlights how deeply interconnected these disciplines are—or how flexible student focus can be. Now, breaking down the numbers: 25 study math, 20 study physics, and 10 participate in both. The total unique students taking at least one subject is 25 + 20 – 10 = 35. In a group of 40, subtracting 35 leaves 5 students who engage neither math nor physics. This figure represents a measurable segment of students navigating diverse academic interests—some opting for humanities, arts, or emerging STEM fields beyond traditional STEM paths.