At a party, the number of girls is half the number of boys. After an hour, five boys leave the party and three girls join the party then the number of boys and girls in the party becomes equal. How many people were present at the party an hour before?

Let the number of girls in the party $$ =x$$

As per the question,

The number of boy will be $$=2x$$

As per the condition,

number boys remains in the party after leaving 5 boys$$= 2x-5$$

and number of girls remain in the party after joining 3 girls $$= x+3$$

So, number of boys = number of girls

$$\Rightarrow 2x-5=x+3$$

$$\Rightarrow 2x-x=5+3$$

$$\Rightarrow x=8$$

So the number of boy$$=2\times8 = 16$$

Hence, total number of member in the party $$=8+16=24$$