Caleb and Ella had an equal number of sweets at first. After Caleb bought another 9 sweets and Ella lost 27 sweets, Caleb had thrice as many sweets as Ella. Find the number of sweets each of them had at first.
| |
Caleb |
Ella |
| Before |
3 u - 9 |
1 u + 27 |
| Change |
+ 9 |
- 27 |
| After |
3 u |
1 u |
The number of sweets that Caleb and Ella at first is the same.
3 u - 9 = 1 u + 27
3 u - 1 u = 27 + 9
2 u = 36
1 u = 36 ÷ 2 = 18
Number of sweets that each of them had at first
= 1 u + 27
= 18 + 27
= 45
Answer(s): 45
