Nicole and Shannon have some muffins each. If Nicole gives Shannon 28 muffins, Nicole will have ²₃ as many muffins as Shannon. If Nicole gives Shannon 18 muffins, they will have an equal number of muffins. How many muffins does Nicole have at first?

	Case 1		Case 2
	Nicole	Shannon	Nicole	Shannon
Before	2 u + 28	3 u - 28	2.5 u + 18	2.5 u - 18
Change	- 28	+ 28	- 18	+ 18
After	2 u	3 u	2.5 u	2.5 u

Total number of muffins that Nicole and Shannon have
= 2 u + 3 u
= 5 u 

Number of muffins that Nicole and Shannon each has in the end is the same.

Number of muffins that Nicole and Shannon each has in the end in Case 2
= 5 u ÷ 2
= 2.5 u

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

2.5 u + 18 = 2 u + 28
2.5 u - 2 u = 28 - 18
0.5 u = 10

1 u = 10 ÷ 0.5 = 20

Number of muffins that Nicole has
= 2 u + 28
= 2 x 20 + 28
= 40 + 28
= 68

Answer(s): 68