Opal and Pamela have some croissants each. If Opal gives Pamela 24 croissants, Opal will have ¹₂ as many croissants as Pamela. If Opal gives Pamela 18 croissants, they will have an equal number of croissants. How many croissants does Opal have at first?

	Case 1		Case 2
	Opal	Pamela	Opal	Pamela
Before	1 u + 24	2 u - 24	1.5 u + 18	1.5 u - 18
Change	- 24	+ 24	- 18	+ 18
After	1 u	2 u	1.5 u	1.5 u

Total number of croissants that Opal and Pamela have
= 1 u + 2 u
= 3 u 

Number of croissants that Opal and Pamela each has in the end is the same.

Number of croissants that Opal and Pamela each has in the end in Case 2
= 3 u ÷ 2
= 1.5 u

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

1.5 u + 18 = 1 u + 24
1.5 u - 1 u = 24 - 18
0.5 u = 6

1 u = 6 ÷ 0.5 = 12

Number of croissants that Opal has
= 1 u + 24
= 1 x 12 + 24
= 12 + 24
= 36

Answer(s): 36