The total number of marbles in Basket X, Basket Y and Basket Z was 185. ³₈ of the marbles from Basket X and 31 marbles from Basket Y were removed. More marbles were then added into Basket Z until the number of marbles in it was doubled. The ratio of the number of marbles in Basket X to Basket Y to Basket Z became 5 : 5 : 2.

1. How many more marbles were there in Basket X than Basket Y at first?
2. Find the total number of marbles in Basket X and Basket Z in the end.

	Basket X	Basket Y	Basket Z	Total
Before	8 u	5 u + 31	1 u	185
Change	- 3 u	- 31	+ 1 u
After	5 u		2 u
Comparing the marbles  in the end	5 u	5 u	2 u

(a)
Total number of marbles at first
= 8 u + 5 u + 31 + 1 u
= 14 u + 31

14 u + 31 = 185
14 u = 185 - 31
14 u = 154

1 u = 154 ÷ 14 = 11

Number of more marbles in Basket X than Basket Y at first 
= 8 u - (5 u + 31)
= 8 u - 5 u - 31
= 3 u - 31
= 3 x 11 - 31
= 33 - 31
= 2

(b)
Total number of marbles in Basket X and Basket Z in the end
= 5 u + 2 u
= 7 u
= 7 x 11
= 77 

Answer(s): (a) 2; (b) 77