Barbara and Mary had an equal number of mochi balls. After Barbara bought another 29 mochi balls and Mary bought another 5 mochi balls, Barbara had thrice as many mochi balls as Mary. Find the number of mochi balls that each of them had at first.
| |
Barbara |
Mary |
| Before |
3 u - 29 |
1 u - 5 |
| Change |
+ 29 |
+ 5 |
| After |
3 u |
1 u |
The number of mochi balls that Barbara and Mary had at first is the same.
3 u - 29 = 1 u - 5
3 u - 1 u = 29 - 5
2 u = 24
1 u = 24 ÷ 2 = 12
Number of mochi balls that each had at first
= 12 - 5
= 7
Answer(s): 7
