There are 576 boys and 448 girls in a school that are to be divided into equal sections of either boys or girls alone. The total number of sections thus formed are a. 22 b. 16 c. 36 d. 21

To solve this problem, we need to find the highest common factor (HCF) of the number of boys and girls. The HCF will give us the maximum number of students that can be in each section such that the sections are equal and only contain boys or girls.

1. First, let's find the HCF of 576 and 448. The HCF of 576 and 448 is 64.

2. Now, divide the total number of boys and girls by the HCF to find the total number of sections.

   Number of boys' sections = 576 / 64 = 9 Number of girls' sections = 448 / 64 = 7

3. Add the number of boys' sections and girls' sections to get the total number of sections.

   Total number of sections = 9 (boys' sections) + 7 (girls' sections) = 16

So, the total number of sections thus formed is 16. Therefore, the correct answer is (b) 16.