Wesley, Neave and Eric had some marbles in the ratio of 2 : 3 : 5. Eric gave 40% of his marbles to Wesley and Neave. As a result, Wesley had the same number of marbles as Neave and Eric had 29 fewer marbles than Wesley.

1. What was the percentage increase in Wesley's marbles after receiving from Eric?
2. How many marbles did Neave have at first?

Wesley	Neave	Eric	Total
2 u	3 u	5 u	10 u
+ 2 u		- 2 u
3.5 u	3.5 u	3 u	10 u

(a)
Number of marbles that Eric gave away
= 40% x 5
= ⁴⁰₁₀₀ x 5
= 2 u

Number of marbles that Wesley and Neave each had in the end
= (10 u - 3 u) ÷ 2
= 7 u ÷ 2
= 3.5 u

Increase in the number of marbles that Wesley had
= 3.5 u - 2 u
= 1.5 u

Percentage increase in Wesley's marbles after receiving from Eric
= ^1.5₂ x 100%
= 75%

(b)
3.5 u = 3 u + 29
3.5 u - 3 u = 29
0.5 u = 29

1 u = 29 ÷ 0.5 = 58

Number of marbles that Neave had at first
= 3 u
= 3 x 58
= 174

Answer(s): (a) 75%; (b) 174