A packet contained white, green and pink markers. ³₅ of the markers were white and ⁴₅ of the remainder were green markers.The rest were pink markers.

1. Find the ratio of the number of pink markers to the number of white markers.
2. There were 196 fewer green markers than white markers. How many markers were there in the packet?

White markers	Green markers	Pink markers
3x5	2x5
	4x2	1x2
15 u	8 u	2 u

(a)
Fraction of white markers = ³₅
Fraction of markers that are not white = 1 - ³₅ = ²₅

Remaining fraction of green markers = ⁴₅
Remaining fraction of pink markers = 1 - ⁴₅ = ¹₅

The total number of green markers and pink markers is the repeated identity.
Make the repeated identity the same by using LCM.
LCM of 2 and 5 = 10

Pink markers : White markers
2 : 15

(b)
Difference in the number of white markers and green markers
= 15 u - 8 u
= 7 u

7 u = 196
1 u = 196 ÷ 7 = 28

Total number of markers
= 15 u + 8 u + 2 u
= 25 u
= 25 x 28
= 700

Answer(s): (a) 2 : 15; (b) 700