The total number of marbles in Basket X, Basket Y and Basket Z was 72. ⁵₈ of the marbles from Basket X and 6 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 3 : 2 : 2.

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

	Basket X	Basket Y	Basket Z	Total
Before	8 u	2 u + 6	1 u	72
Change	- 5 u	- 6	+ 1 u
After	3 u		2 u
Comparing the marbles  in the end	3 u	2 u	2 u

(a)
Total number of marbles at first
= 8 u + 2 u + 6 + 1 u
= 11 u + 6

11 u + 6 = 72
11 u = 72 - 6
11 u = 66

1 u = 66 ÷ 11 = 6

Number of less marbles in Basket Y than Basket X at first 
= 8 u - (2 u + 6)
= 8 u - 2 u - 6
= 6 u - 6
= 6 x 6 - 6
= 36 - 6
= 30

(b)
Total number of marbles in Basket Y and Basket Z in the end
= 2 u + 2 u
= 4 u
= 4 x 6
= 24 

Answer(s): (a) 30; (b) 24