Vaidev and George gave away the same number of marbles. Vaidev gave away ³₄ of his marbles while George gave ⁵₉ of his marbles away. Given that Vaidev had 21 marbles less than George at first, how many marbles did Vaidev have at first?

	Vaidev	George
Before	4x5 = 20 u	9x3 = 27 u
Change	- 3x5 = - 15 u	- 5x3 = - 15 u
After	1x5 = 5 u	4x3 = 12 u

The number of marbles that Vaidev and George gave away is the same.  Make the number of marbles that Vaidev and George gave away the same. LCM of 3 and 5 is 15.

Number of marbles that Vaidev had at first = 20 u
Number of marbles that George had at first = 27 u

Number of marbles that Vaidev had less than George at first
= 27 u - 20 u
= 7 u

7 u = 21

1 u = 21 ÷ 7 = 3

Number of marbles that Vaidev had at first
= 20 u
= 20 x 3
= 60

Answer(s): 60