Japheth, Charlie and Reggie had some stamps in the ratio of 2 : 3 : 5. Reggie gave 50% of his stamps to Japheth and Charlie. As a result, Japheth had the same number of stamps as Charlie and Reggie had 45 fewer stamps than Japheth.

1. What was the percentage increase in Japheth's stamps after receiving from Reggie?
2. How many stamps did Charlie have at first?

Japheth	Charlie	Reggie	Total
2 u	3 u	5 u	10 u
+ 2.5 u		- 2.5 u
3.75 u	3.75 u	2.5 u	10 u

(a)
Number of stamps that Reggie gave away
= 50% x 5
= ⁵⁰₁₀₀ x 5
= 2.5 u

Number of stamps that Japheth and Charlie each had in the end
= (10 u - 2.5 u) ÷ 2
= 7.5 u ÷ 2
= 3.75 u

Increase in the number of stamps that Japheth had
= 3.75 u - 2 u
= 1.75 u

Percentage increase in Japheth's stamps after receiving from Reggie
= ^1.75₂ x 100%
= 87.5%

(b)
3.75 u = 2.5 u + 45
3.75 u - 2.5 u = 45
1.25 u = 45

1 u = 45 ÷ 1.25 = 36

Number of stamps that Charlie had at first
= 3 u
= 3 x 36
= 108

Answer(s): (a) 87.5%; (b) 108