Emily and Barbara have some croissants each. If Emily gives Barbara 23 croissants, Emily will have ³₄ as many croissants as Barbara. If Emily gives Barbara 17 croissants, they will have an equal number of croissants. How many croissants does Emily have at first?

	Case 1		Case 2
	Emily	Barbara	Emily	Barbara
Before	3 u + 23	4 u - 23	3.5 u + 17	3.5 u - 17
Change	- 23	+ 23	- 17	+ 17
After	3 u	4 u	3.5 u	3.5 u

Total number of croissants that Emily and Barbara have
= 3 u + 4 u
= 7 u 

Number of croissants that Emily and Barbara each has in the end is the same.

Number of croissants that Emily and Barbara each has in the end in Case 2
= 7 u ÷ 2
= 3.5 u

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

3.5 u + 17 = 3 u + 23
3.5 u - 3 u = 23 - 17
0.5 u = 6

1 u = 6 ÷ 0.5 = 12

Number of croissants that Emily has
= 3 u + 23
= 3 x 12 + 23
= 36 + 23
= 59

Answer(s): 59