There are \( x \) number of girls in Basic 8 of a school. The number of boys in the class is 8 more than the number of girls. The number of girls in Basic 9 of the same school is 4 less than the number of girls in Basic 8 and the number of boys in Basic 9 is twice the number of boys in Basic 8 . In a given speech and price given day, each learner in Basic 8 was given \( y \) books and each learner in Basic 9 was given twice books as was given to each learner in Basic 8 . (a) Write a simplified expression for the total number of books given to the learners in Basic 8 and 9 .

Let’s break down the classroom dynamics! For Basic 8, the number of girls is \( x \), so the boys would be \( x + 8 \). The total number of learners in Basic 8 is \( x + (x + 8) = 2x + 8 \). In Basic 9, since there are 4 fewer girls than in Basic 8, the number of girls is \( x - 4 \) and the number of boys is \( 2(x + 8) = 2x + 16 \). Thus, the total number of learners in Basic 9 is \( (x - 4) + (2x + 16) = 3x + 12 \). Now, for the book distribution: each learner in Basic 8 receives \( y \) books and in Basic 9, each receives \( 2y \) books. So, the total number of books given away is: \[ \text{Total books for Basic 8} = (2x + 8) \cdot y \] \[ \text{Total books for Basic 9} = (3x + 12) \cdot 2y \] Combining these gives: \[ \text{Total books} = (2x + 8)y + (3x + 12)(2y) \] This simplifies to: \[ \text{Total books} = (2x + 8)y + (6xy + 24y) = 8y + 6xy + 2xy + 8y = 8y + 8xy = 8y(1 + x) \] Therefore, a simplified expression for the total number of books given to learners in Basic 8 and Basic 9 is \( 8y(1 + x) \) books.