Asher, Xavier and Ryan had some erasers in the ratio of 2 : 3 : 5. Ryan gave 40% of his erasers to Asher and Xavier. As a result, Asher had the same number of erasers as Xavier and Ryan had 41 fewer erasers than Asher.

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

Asher	Xavier	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 Asher and Xavier each had in the end
= (10 u - 3 u) ÷ 2
= 7 u ÷ 2
= 3.5 u

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

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

(b)
3.5 u = 3 u + 41
3.5 u - 3 u = 41
0.5 u = 41

1 u = 41 ÷ 0.5 = 82

Number of erasers that Xavier had at first
= 3 u
= 3 x 82
= 246

Answer(s): (a) 75%; (b) 246