In May, Erika and Asher had pens in the ratio 10 : 3. In June, each of them gave away the same number of pens. Erika then had five times as many pens as Asher.
- Find the ratio of the number of pens Asher had in May to the number of pens he had in June.
- Find the ratio of the total number of pens both had in May to the total number of pens both had in June.
| |
Erika |
Asher |
Difference |
| Before |
10x4 =
40 u |
3x4 =
12 u |
7x4 =
28 u |
| Change |
- 5 u |
- 5 u |
|
| After |
5x7 =
35 u |
1x7 =
7 u |
4x7 =
28 u |
(a)
Since Erika and Asher gave away the same number of pens, the difference in the number of pens between Erika 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 7 and 4 is 28.
Asher's pens in May : Asher's pens in June
12 : 7
(b)
Total number of pens in May
= 40 u + 12 u
= 52 u
Total number of pens in June
= 35 u + 7 u
= 42 u
Total pens in May : Total pens in June
52 : 42
(÷2)26 : 21
Answer(s): (a) 12 : 7; (b) 26 : 21
