A box contains some oranges, lemons and pears. 0.4 of the oranges is equal to 30% of the lemons. The number of pears is ⁴₅ of the total number of lemons and oranges. If there are 72 more pears than lemons, how many fruits are there in the box altogether?

Oranges	Lemons	Pears
3x5	4x5
5x7		4x7
15 u	20 u	28 u

0.4 = ⁴₁₀= ²₅
30% = ³⁰₁₀₀ = ³₁₀

0.4 of the oranges is equal to 30% of the lemons. Make the numerators the same.  LCM of 2 and 3 is 6.

2x35x3 of the oranges = 3x210x2 of the lemons
615 of the oranges = 620 of the lemons 

Oranges : Lemons
15 : 20 _(÷5)
3 : 4

The total number of oranges and lemons is repeated.  Make the total number of oranges and lemons the same.  LCM of 7 and 5 is 35.

Number of more pears than lemons
= 28 u - 20 u
= 8 u

8 u = 72

1 u = 72 ÷ 8 = 9

Number of the fruits in the box altogether
= 15 u + 20 u + 28 u
= 63 u
= 63 x 9
= 567

Answer(s): 567