Ben and Nora had the same number of mochi balls. After Nora gave away 18 mochi balls and Ben gave away 36 mochi balls, Nora had 3 times as many mochi balls as Ben. How many mochi balls did each of them have at first?
| |
Ben |
Nora |
| Before |
1 u + 36 |
3 u + 18 |
| Change |
- 36 |
- 18 |
| After |
1 u |
3 u |
The number of mochi balls that Ben and Nora had at first is the same.
3 u + 18 = 1 u + 36
3 u - 1 u = 36 - 18
2 u = 18
1 u = 18 ÷ 2 = 9
Number of mochi balls that each of them had at first
= 1 u + 36
= 9 + 36
= 45
Answer(s): 45
