In February, Elyse and Flynn had erasers in the ratio 5 : 3. In March, each of them gave away the same number of erasers. Elyse then had four times as many erasers as Flynn.
- Find the ratio of the number of erasers Flynn had in February to the number of erasers he had in March.
- Find the ratio of the total number of erasers both had in February to the total number of erasers both had in March.
| |
Elyse |
Flynn |
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 Elyse and Flynn gave away the same number of erasers, the difference in the number of erasers between Elyse and Flynn 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 2 and 3 is 6.
Flynn's erasers in February : Flynn's erasers in March
9 : 2
(b)
Total number of erasers in February
= 15 u + 9 u
= 24 u
Total number of erasers in March
= 8 u + 2 u
= 10 u
Total erasers in February : Total erasers in March
24 : 10
(÷2)12 : 5
Answer(s): (a) 9 : 2; (b) 12 : 5
