24/2=<<24/2=12>>12 students are doing silent reading.

24/3=<<24/3=8>>8 students are playing board games.

So 12+8=<<12+8=20>>20 students are accounted for.

Then 24-20=<<24-20=4>>4 students are catching up on homework.

# Answer

4
<|im_start|>system
You are a helpful assistant.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
In the class of 24 students, half are doing silent reading, and a third are playing board games. The rest are catching up on homework. How many students are catching up on homework?
Please reason step by step, and put your final answer within \boxed{{}}.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant

user
4
In the class of 24 students, half are doing silent reading, and a third are playing board games. The rest are catching up on homework. How many students are catching up on homework?
train