Cindy and Gem have some croissants each. If Cindy gives Gem 16 croissants, Cindy will have ¹₄ as many croissants as Gem. If Cindy gives Gem 12 croissants, they will have an equal number of croissants. How many croissants does Cindy have at first?

	Case 1		Case 2
	Cindy	Gem	Cindy	Gem
Before	1 u + 16	4 u - 16	2.5 u + 12	2.5 u - 12
Change	- 16	+ 16	- 12	+ 12
After	1 u	4 u	2.5 u	2.5 u

Total number of croissants that Cindy and Gem have
= 1 u + 4 u
= 5 u 

Number of croissants that Cindy and Gem each has in the end is the same.

Number of croissants that Cindy and Gem each has in the end in Case 2
= 5 u ÷ 2
= 2.5 u

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

2.5 u + 12 = 1 u + 16
2.5 u - 1 u = 16 - 12
0.5 u = 4

1 u = 4 ÷ 0.5 = 8

Number of croissants that Cindy has
= 1 u + 16
= 1 x 8 + 16
= 8 + 16
= 24

Answer(s): 24