Seth, Wesley and Ryan had some erasers in the ratio of 2 : 3 : 5. Ryan gave 40% of his erasers to Seth and Wesley. As a result, Seth had the same number of erasers as Wesley and Ryan had 38 fewer erasers than Seth.

1. What was the percentage increase in Seth's erasers after receiving from Ryan?
2. How many erasers did Wesley have at first?

Seth	Wesley	Ryan	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 erasers that Ryan gave away
= 40% x 5
= ⁴⁰₁₀₀ x 5
= 2 u

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

Increase in the number of erasers that Seth had
= 3.5 u - 2 u
= 1.5 u

Percentage increase in Seth's erasers after receiving from Ryan
= ^1.5₂ x 100%
= 75%

(b)
3.5 u = 3 u + 38
3.5 u - 3 u = 38
0.5 u = 38

1 u = 38 ÷ 0.5 = 76

Number of erasers that Wesley had at first
= 3 u
= 3 x 76
= 228

Answer(s): (a) 75%; (b) 228