Bryan, John and Wesley had some buttons in the ratio of 2 : 3 : 5. Wesley gave 40% of his buttons to Bryan and John. As a result, Bryan had the same number of buttons as John and Wesley had 16 fewer buttons than Bryan.

1. What was the percentage increase in Bryan's buttons after receiving from Wesley?
2. How many buttons did John have at first?

Bryan	John	Wesley	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 buttons that Wesley gave away
= 40% x 5
= ⁴⁰₁₀₀ x 5
= 2 u

Number of buttons that Bryan and John each had in the end
= (10 u - 3 u) ÷ 2
= 7 u ÷ 2
= 3.5 u

Increase in the number of buttons that Bryan had
= 3.5 u - 2 u
= 1.5 u

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

(b)
3.5 u = 3 u + 16
3.5 u - 3 u = 16
0.5 u = 16

1 u = 16 ÷ 0.5 = 32

Number of buttons that John had at first
= 3 u
= 3 x 32
= 96

Answer(s): (a) 75%; (b) 96