Nicole and Eva have some macarons each. If Nicole gives Eva 19 macarons, Nicole will have ³₈ as many macarons as Eva. If Nicole gives Eva 9 macarons, they will have an equal number of macarons. How many macarons does Nicole have at first?

	Case 1		Case 2
	Nicole	Eva	Nicole	Eva
Before	3 u + 19	8 u - 19	5.5 u + 9	5.5 u - 9
Change	- 19	+ 19	- 9	+ 9
After	3 u	8 u	5.5 u	5.5 u

Total number of macarons that Nicole and Eva have
= 3 u + 8 u
= 11 u 

Number of macarons that Nicole and Eva each has in the end is the same.

Number of macarons that Nicole and Eva each has in the end in Case 2
= 11 u ÷ 2
= 5.5 u

Number of macarons that Nicole had at first is the same in Case 1 and Case 2.

5.5 u + 9 = 3 u + 19
5.5 u - 3 u = 19 - 9
0.5 u = 10

1 u = 10 ÷ 0.5 = 20

Number of macarons that Nicole has
= 3 u + 19
= 3 x 20 + 19
= 60 + 19
= 79

Answer(s): 79