let

n = the number of novelists

p = the number of poets

A writing workshop enrolls novelists and poets in a ratio of 5:3

n : p = 5 : 3 cross-multiply

3n = 5p

There are 24 people at the workshop:

n + p = 24

by solving the system of equations:

3n = 5p

n + p = 24

we find:

n = 15 novelists

p = 9 poets

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

there are 15 novelists and 9 poets.