Lucas bought 53 staplers and Ben bought 75 staplers. After Ben used
35 times as many staplers as Lucas, he was left with thrice as many staplers as Lucas. How many staplers did each of them have in the end?
- Lucas
- Ben
| |
Make p the same.
(1)x3 = (3) |
Lucas
(1) |
Ben
(2) |
| Before |
159 |
53 |
75 |
| Change |
- 15 u |
- 5 u |
- 3 u |
| After |
3 p |
1 p |
3 p |
(a)
53 - 5 u = 1 p --- (1)
75 - 3 u =
3 p --- (2)
(1)
x3
159 - 15 u =
3 p --- (3)
(3) = (2)
75 - 3 u = 159 - 15 u
15 u - 3 u = 159 - 75
12 u = 84
1 u = 84 ÷ 12 = 7
Number of staplers that Lucas had in the end
= 53 - 5 u
= 53 - 5 x 7
= 53 - 35
= 18
(b)
1 p = 18
Number of staplers that Ben had in the end
= 3 p
= 3 x 18
= 54
Answer(s): (a) 18; (b) 54
