Michael School had 480 students and Ethan School had 30% more students. When an equal number of students left each school, the ratio of the students in Ethan School to that in Michael School became 3 : 2. How many students were there in both schools in the end?

	Michael School	Ethan School	Difference
Before	480		144
Change	- ?	- ?
After	3 u	2 u	1 u

Since an equal number of students left each school, the difference in the number of students at first and in the end between the 2 schools remains the same.  Make the difference between the number of students in Michael School and Ethan School at first and in the end the same. 

Difference between the number of students in both schools at first
= 30% x 480
= ³⁰₁₀₀ x 480
= 144

Difference between the number of students in both schools in the end
= 3 u - 2 u
= 1 u

1 u = 144

Total number of students in both schools in the end
= 3 u + 2 u
= 5 u
= 5 x 144
= 720

Answer(s): 720