let

g = the number of girls in the class

b = the number of boys in the class

a class is made up of 492 students

g + b = 492

there are 180 more girls than boys

g = b + 180

by solving the system of equations

g + b = 492

g = b + 180

we find

g = 336 girls

b = 156 boys

click here to see the step by step solution of the system of equations

there are 156 boys in the class.