In April, Kimberly and Eric had stamps in the ratio 3 : 2. In May, each of them gave away the same number of stamps. Kimberly then had four times as many stamps as Eric.

1. Find the ratio of the number of stamps Eric 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.

	Kimberly	Eric	Difference
Before	3x3 = 9 u	2x3 = 6 u	1x3 = 3 u
Change	- 5 u	- 5 u
After	4x1 = 4 u	1x1 = 1 u	3x1 = 3 u

(a)
Since Kimberly and Eric gave away the same number of stamps, the difference in the number of stamps between Kimberly and Eric 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 1 and 3 is 3.

Eric's stamps in April : Eric's stamps in May
6 : 1

(b)
Total number of stamps in April
= 9 u + 6 u
= 15 u

Total number of stamps in May
= 4 u + 1 u
= 5 u

Total stamps in April : Total stamps in May
15 : 5 _(÷5)
3 : 1 

Answer(s): (a) 6 : 1; (b) 3 : 1