In April, Winnie and Asher had pens in the ratio 5 : 3. In May, each of them gave away the same number of pens. Winnie then had four times as many pens as Asher.
- Find the ratio of the number of pens Asher had in April to the number of pens he had in May.
- Find the ratio of the total number of pens both had in April to the total number of pens both had in May.
|
Winnie |
Asher |
Difference |
Before |
5x3 = 15 u |
3x3 = 9 u |
2x3 = 6 u |
Change |
- 7 u |
- 7 u |
|
After |
4x2 = 8 u |
1x2 = 2 u |
3x2 = 6 u |
(a)
Since Winnie and Asher gave away the same number of pens, the difference in the number of pens between Winnie and Asher at first and in the end remains the same.
Make the difference in the number of pens at first and in the end the same. LCM of 2 and 3 is 6.
Asher's pens in April : Asher's pens in May
9 : 2
(b)
Total number of pens in April
= 15 u + 9 u
= 24 u
Total number of pens in May
= 8 u + 2 u
= 10 u
Total pens in April : Total pens in May
24 : 10
(÷2)12 : 5
Answer(s): (a) 9 : 2; (b) 12 : 5