Marion had some markers, pens and staplers. The ratio of the number of markers to the number of pens was 6 : 1. After giving away 19 pens, the ratio of the number of staplers to the number of pens was 3 : 1. Marion bought another 177 staplers. As a result, there were an equal number of markers and staplers. How many markers did she have at first?
| |
Markers |
Pens |
Staplers |
| Before |
6 u |
1 u |
|
| Change |
|
- 19 |
|
| After 1 |
|
1 u - 19 |
3 u - 57 |
| Change |
|
|
+ 177 |
| After 2 |
6 u |
1 u - 19 |
3 u + 120 |
Number of pens after Marion gave away 19 pens
= 1 u - 19
After Marion gave away 19 pens, the ratio of the number of staplers to the number of pens became 3 : 1. This means that the number of pens was 3 times as many as the number of staplers.
Number of staplers after Marion gave away 19 pens
= 3 x (1 u - 19)
= 3 u - 57
Number of staplers in the end after Marion bought another 177 staplers
= 3 u - 57 + 177
= 3 u + 120
Number of markers and staplers in the end is the same.
6 u = 3 u + 1206 u - 3 u = 1203 u = 120
1 u = 120 ÷ 3 = 40
Total numbers of markers that Marion had at first
= 6 u
= 6 x 40
= 240
Answer(s): 240
