A container contains some mangosteens, lemons and mangoes. 0.2 of the mangosteens is equal to 40% of the lemons. The number of mangoes is ⁵₈ of the total number of lemons and mangosteens. If there are 42 less lemons than mangoes, how many fruits are there in the container altogether?

Mangosteens	Lemons	Mangoes
2x8	1x8
8x3		5x3
16 u	8 u	15 u

0.2 = ²₁₀= ¹₅
40% = ⁴⁰₁₀₀ = ²₅

0.2 of the mangosteens is equal to 40% of the lemons. Make the numerators the same.  LCM of 1 and 2 is 2.

1x25x2 of the mangosteens = 2x15x1 of the lemons
210 of the mangosteens = 25 of the lemons 

Mangosteens : Lemons
10 : 5 _(÷5)
2 : 1

The total number of mangosteens and lemons is repeated.  Make the total number of mangosteens and lemons the same.  LCM of 3 and 8 is 24.

Number of less lemons than mangoes
= 15 u - 8 u
= 7 u

7 u = 42

1 u = 42 ÷ 7 = 6

Number of the fruits in the container altogether
= 16 u + 8 u + 15 u
= 39 u
= 39 x 6
= 234

Answer(s): 234