In March, Dana and Rael had erasers in the ratio 3 : 2. In April, each of them gave away the same number of erasers. Dana then had thrice as many erasers as Rael.
- Find the ratio of the number of erasers Rael had in March to the number of erasers he had in April.
- Find the ratio of the total number of erasers both had in March to the total number of erasers both had in April.
| |
Dana |
Rael |
Difference |
| Before |
3x2 =
6 u |
2x2 =
4 u |
1x2 =
2 u |
| Change |
- 3 u |
- 3 u |
|
| After |
3x1 =
3 u |
1x1 =
1 u |
2x1 =
2 u |
(a)
Since Dana and Rael gave away the same number of erasers, the difference in the number of erasers between Dana and Rael at first and in the end remains the same.
Make the difference in the number of erasers at first and in the end the same. LCM of 1 and 2 is 2.
Rael's erasers in March : Rael's erasers in April
4 : 1
(b)
Total number of erasers in March
= 6 u + 4 u
= 10 u
Total number of erasers in April
= 3 u + 1 u
= 4 u
Total erasers in March : Total erasers in April
10 : 4
(÷2)5 : 2
Answer(s): (a) 4 : 1; (b) 5 : 2
