Tom, Lee and Michael had some erasers in the ratio of 2 : 3 : 5. Michael gave 40% of his erasers to Tom and Lee. As a result, Tom had the same number of erasers as Lee and Michael had 44 fewer erasers than Tom.

1. What was the percentage increase in Tom's erasers after receiving from Michael?
2. How many erasers did Lee have at first?

Tom	Lee	Michael	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 Michael gave away
= 40% x 5
= ⁴⁰₁₀₀ x 5
= 2 u

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

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

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

(b)
3.5 u = 3 u + 44
3.5 u - 3 u = 44
0.5 u = 44

1 u = 44 ÷ 0.5 = 88

Number of erasers that Lee had at first
= 3 u
= 3 x 88
= 264

Answer(s): (a) 75%; (b) 264