In a stationery kiosk, the number of staplers was
25 of the total number of staplers and rulers together. Seth sold the staplers and rulers in sets of 3 staplers and 9 rulers. After selling all the rulers, he still had 33 staplers left. How many staplers were in the stationery kiosk at first?
| |
Staplers |
Rulers |
| Before |
2x3 =
6 u |
3x3 =
9 u |
| Change |
- 3x1 =
- 3 u |
- 9x1 =
- 9 u |
| After |
33 |
0 |
Since all the rulers were sold, the number of rulers at first and the number of rulers sold were the same. Make the number of rulers at first and sold the same. LCM of 3 and 9 is 9.
Number of staplers sold
= 6 u - 3 u
= 3 u
3 u = 33
1 u = 33 ÷ 3 = 11
Number of staplers at first
= 6 u
= 6 x 11
= 66
Answer(s): 66
