Elijah, Reggie and Pierre had a total of 153 stamps. The ratio of the number of stamps that Reggie had to the number of stamps that Pierre had was 4 : 9. After Elijah and Reggie each gave away half of their stamps, the 3 children had 126 stamps left. How many stamps did Reggie and Pierre have at first?
| |
Elijah |
Reggie |
Pierre |
Total |
| Before |
2 p |
4 u |
9 u |
153 |
| Change |
- 1 p |
- 2 u |
|
- 27 |
| After |
1 p |
2 u |
9 u |
126 |
Total number of stamps that Elijah and Reggie gave away
= 153 - 126
= 27
1 p + 2 u = 27 --- (1)
1 p + 2 u + 9 u = 126
1 p + 11 u = 126 --- (2)
(2) - (1)
(1 p + 11 u) - (1 p + 2 u) = 126 - 27
11 u - 2 u = 99
9 u = 99
1 u = 99 ÷ 9 = 11
Total number of stamps that Reggie and Pierre had at first
= 4 u + 9 u
= 13 u
= 13 x 11
= 143
Answer(s): 143
