Michael and Archie had 87 pencils. After Michael gave 12 pencils to Archie. Archie, in return, gave half of his pencils to Michael. In the end, Michael had twice as many pencils as Archie. How many pencils did Michael have at first?
| |
Michael |
Archie |
Total |
| Before |
1 u + 12 |
2 u - 12 |
87 |
| Change 1 |
- 12 |
+ 12 |
|
| After 1 |
1 u |
2 u |
|
| Change 2 |
+ 1 u |
- 1 u |
|
| After 2 |
2 u |
1 u |
87 |
Total number of pencils that Michael and Archie had at first and in the end remains unchanged.
Total number of pencils
= 2 u + 1 u
= 3 u
1 u = 87 ÷ 3 = 29
Number of pencils that Michael had at first
= 1 u + 12
= 29 + 12
= 41
Answer(s): 41
