Seth, Lee and Tom had a total of 25 stamps. The ratio of the number of stamps that Lee had to the number of stamps that Tom had was 2 : 3. After Seth and Lee each gave away half of their stamps, the 3 children had 17 stamps left. How many stamps did Lee and Tom have in the end?
| |
Seth |
Lee |
Tom |
Total |
| Before |
2 p |
2 u |
3 u |
25 |
| Change |
- 1 p |
- 1 u |
|
- 8 |
| After |
1 p |
1 u |
3 u |
17 |
Total number of stamps that Seth and Lee gave away
= 25 - 17
= 8
1 p + 1 u = 8 --- (1)
1 p + 1 u + 3 u = 17
1 p + 4 u = 17 --- (2)
(2) - (1)
(1 p + 4 u) - (1 p + 1 u) = 17 - 8
4 u - 1 u = 9
3 u = 9
1 u = 9 ÷ 3 = 3
Total number of stamps that Lee and Tom had in the end
= 1 u + 3 u
= 4 u
= 4 x 3
= 12
Answer(s): 12
