The total number of marbles in Basket N, Basket P and Basket Q was 112. ³₇ of the marbles from Basket N and 8 marbles from Basket P were removed. More marbles were then added into Basket Q until the number of marbles in it was doubled. The ratio of the number of marbles in Basket N to Basket P to Basket Q became 4 : 5 : 2.

1. How many more marbles were there in Basket N than Basket P at first?
2. Find the total number of marbles in Basket N and Basket Q in the end.

	Basket N	Basket P	Basket Q	Total
Before	7 u	5 u + 8	1 u	112
Change	- 3 u	- 8	+ 1 u
After	4 u		2 u
Comparing the marbles  in the end	4 u	5 u	2 u

(a)
Total number of marbles at first
= 7 u + 5 u + 8 + 1 u
= 13 u + 8

13 u + 8 = 112
13 u = 112 - 8
13 u = 104

1 u = 104 ÷ 13 = 8

Number of more marbles in Basket N than Basket P at first 
= 7 u - (5 u + 8)
= 7 u - 5 u - 8
= 2 u - 8
= 2 x 8 - 8
= 16 - 8
= 8

(b)
Total number of marbles in Basket N and Basket Q in the end
= 4 u + 2 u
= 6 u
= 6 x 8
= 48 

Answer(s): (a) 8; (b) 48