Penelope had 16 more cupcakes than Lucy at first. After Penelope ate 4 cupcakes, she had thrice as many cupcakes as Lucy in the end. How many cupcakes did Lucy have?
| |
Lucy |
Penelope |
| Before |
1 u |
1 u + 16 |
| Change |
|
- 4 |
| After |
1 u |
1 u + 12 |
Comparing Lucy
and Penelope in the end |
1 u |
3 u |
The number of cupcakes that Lucy had remains unchanged.
Number of cupcakes that Penelope had in the end
= 3 x 1 u
= 3 u
3 u = 1 u + 12
3 u - 1 u = 12
2 u = 12
1 u = 12 ÷ 2 = 6
Number of cupcakes that Lucy had
= 1 u
= 6
Answer(s): 6
