In April, Shannon and Japheth had stamps in the ratio 14 : 5. In May, each of them gave away the same number of stamps. Shannon then had five times as many stamps as Japheth.

1. Find the ratio of the number of stamps Japheth had in April to the number of stamps he had in May.
2. Find the ratio of the total number of stamps both had in April to the total number of stamps both had in May.

	Shannon	Japheth	Difference
Before	14x4 = 56 u	5x4 = 20 u	9x4 = 36 u
Change	- 11 u	- 11 u
After	5x9 = 45 u	1x9 = 9 u	4x9 = 36 u

(a)
Since Shannon and Japheth gave away the same number of stamps, the difference in the number of stamps between Shannon and Japheth at first and in the end remains the same.

Make the difference in the number of stamps at first and in the end the same. LCM of 9 and 4 is 36.

Japheth's stamps in April : Japheth's stamps in May
20 : 9

(b)
Total number of stamps in April
= 56 u + 20 u
= 76 u

Total number of stamps in May
= 45 u + 9 u
= 54 u

Total stamps in April : Total stamps in May
76 : 54 _(÷2)
38 : 27 

Answer(s): (a) 20 : 9; (b) 38 : 27