Charlie, Neave and Owen had a total of 42 cards. The ratio of the number of cards that Neave had to the number of cards that Owen had was 2 : 3. After Charlie and Neave each gave away half of their cards, the 3 children had 27 cards left. How many cards did Neave and Owen have at first?
| |
Charlie |
Neave |
Owen |
Total |
| Before |
2 p |
2 u |
3 u |
42 |
| Change |
- 1 p |
- 1 u |
|
- 15 |
| After |
1 p |
1 u |
3 u |
27 |
Total number of cards that Charlie and Neave gave away
= 42 - 27
= 15
1 p + 1 u = 15 --- (1)
1 p + 1 u + 3 u = 27
1 p + 4 u = 27 --- (2)
(2) - (1)
(1 p + 4 u) - (1 p + 1 u) = 27 - 15
4 u - 1 u = 12
3 u = 12
1 u = 12 ÷ 3 = 4
Total number of cards that Neave and Owen had at first
= 2 u + 3 u
= 5 u
= 5 x 4
= 20
Answer(s): 20
