Vanessa and Linda have some croissants each. If Vanessa gives Linda 19 croissants, Vanessa will have ³₈ as many croissants as Linda. If Vanessa gives Linda 16 croissants, they will have an equal number of croissants. How many croissants does Vanessa have at first?

	Case 1		Case 2
	Vanessa	Linda	Vanessa	Linda
Before	3 u + 19	8 u - 19	5.5 u + 16	5.5 u - 16
Change	- 19	+ 19	- 16	+ 16
After	3 u	8 u	5.5 u	5.5 u

Total number of croissants that Vanessa and Linda have
= 3 u + 8 u
= 11 u 

Number of croissants that Vanessa and Linda each has in the end is the same.

Number of croissants that Vanessa and Linda each has in the end in Case 2
= 11 u ÷ 2
= 5.5 u

Number of croissants that Vanessa had at first is the same in Case 1 and Case 2.

5.5 u + 16 = 3 u + 19
5.5 u - 3 u = 19 - 16
0.5 u = 3

1 u = 3 ÷ 0.5 = 6

Number of croissants that Vanessa has
= 3 u + 19
= 3 x 6 + 19
= 18 + 19
= 37

Answer(s): 37