Number of students

[Grey Wolf <greywolf1@jazzfree.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51771

Steve wrote:
> I also am a strong supporter of the latest theory that say logically,
> (by my interpretation) Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw make up the bulk of
> the common student. Slytherin and Gryffindor being very unique, would
> be much smaller. Some people are speculating a ratio of 40/40/10/10.
> If that's true then those ratios reflect the actuall numbers; 40
> Hufflepuff to 10 Gryffindors. This would account for 600 to 700
> students which is about what I have always estimated the size to be.

First things first, I don't buy that theory of 40/40/10/10. The numbers 
are a bit too separate for my tastes, but nevermind that. For the first 
time in quite a while there is a theory that might fit my main 
objection: time keeping. Let me put it to test.
 
> Which brings up the question, why don't we see all these extra
> Hufflepuffs in Herbology? I can only speculate, but it's possible the
> the Hufflepuffs in Harry's class are the 'overflow'. There is another
> Herbology class that is all Hufflepuffs, and the ones that could fit
> in the allowable class size, were combine with the small class of
> Gryffindors. 

This does present a proble, though, Steve. If there are 40 students in 
Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, who are the overflow? I mean, we know that 
lessonss are in groups of "about 20". For example, in herbology. So, we 
have two groups of Ravenclaws, and two groups of Hufflepuffs and one 
combined group of Slyherin and Gryffindor. But that is not what happens 
in the books. Could you please expand the theory in this point to make 
the numbers match?

> In closing, I will say that this issue has been examined in the most
> minute detail by many many people and many many times, and the only
> conclusion that I can see is that there is no definitive conclusion
> that can be reached.
> 
> Mostly speculation, but still something to think about.
> 
> bboy_mn

Yep, it's fun... and I get to practice with my new (university 
approved) calculator. As I said, I prefer Cat's multiple campus theory, 
but that doesn't mean I'm not willing to check the others.

Now, let's do maths: 700 students, about 20 students/group, 35 groups. 
one hours/week of Herbology: 35 hours, 5 hours/day, fits barely - but 
fits.

Potions: you say that there could be as many as 40 students in the 
class, although when Harry is there with Slytherin there are only 20 of 
them. That means 3 groups per year: Slytherin/Gryffindor, Hufflepuff 
and Ravenclaw. 3 groups/year * 4 lectures/week&group * 7 years * 45 
min/lecture = 63 hours. Unfortunately, we should asume that Snape gets 
breaks just as the students do between classes, so that put's the 
number up to 84 hours (just drop the 45 min). That clearly isn't 
working. Let's add the privateStudying!6th&7th years hypothesis back 
in: 3*4*5 = 60 hours/week. 12 hours/day. Hard, but not absolutely 
impossible.

DADA: According to your theory, would those 40 Ravenclaws/Hufflepuffs 
take their DADA in one group or in many? The fact that the Gryffindor 
take them alone might indicate a preference for small groups in a 
series of lessons were attention is most necessary. Let's say they 
divide the big groups in two. That's 6 groups/year * 2 hours/week&group 
* 5 years = 60 hours again (unsuprisingly).

If we leave the groups as one, then we get 4 groups/year, * 2 * 5 = 40 
hours/week. But it does raise the problem of why have just ten 
Gryffindors but then 40 Ravenclaws in DADA.

Conclussion: you're getting closer, Steve. Not quite there yet, but at 
least it is not the impossible schedules of previous "big number of 
students" theories. Maybe a little bit of refining, and I can check it 
out again. I still prefer the multiple campus theory, though.

On a separeta level, it seems that the numbers agree with the 
PrivateStudying!6th&7th years. We'll have to wait a few years for canon 
on that one, though.

Hope that helps,

Grey Wolf