Zara and Tina have some cupcakes each. If Zara gives Tina 23 cupcakes, Zara will have ³₈ as many cupcakes as Tina. If Zara gives Tina 14 cupcakes, they will have an equal number of cupcakes. How many cupcakes does Zara have at first?

	Case 1		Case 2
	Zara	Tina	Zara	Tina
Before	3 u + 23	8 u - 23	5.5 u + 14	5.5 u - 14
Change	- 23	+ 23	- 14	+ 14
After	3 u	8 u	5.5 u	5.5 u

Total number of cupcakes that Zara and Tina have
= 3 u + 8 u
= 11 u 

Number of cupcakes that Zara and Tina each has in the end is the same.

Number of cupcakes that Zara and Tina each has in the end in Case 2
= 11 u ÷ 2
= 5.5 u

Number of cupcakes that Zara had at first is the same in Case 1 and Case 2.

5.5 u + 14 = 3 u + 23
5.5 u - 3 u = 23 - 14
0.5 u = 9

1 u = 9 ÷ 0.5 = 18

Number of cupcakes that Zara has
= 3 u + 23
= 3 x 18 + 23
= 54 + 23
= 77

Answer(s): 77