Seven hours ago, a stallholder started his day with some starfruits and mangosteens in the ratio of 8 : 3. There were 108 mangosteens. Some of the starfruits were bought by Sarah. As a result, the number of starfruits became
34 of the mangosteens.
- How many starfruits did the stallholder have at first?
- How many mangosteens did the stallholder have to sell in order to have an equal number of starfruits and mangosteens?
|
Starfruits |
Mangosteens |
Before |
8x4 = 32 u |
3x4 = 12 u |
Change |
- ? |
|
After |
3x3 = 9 u |
4x3 = 12 u |
(a)
The number of mangosteens remains unchanged. Make the number of mangosteens the same. LCM of 3 and 4 is 12.
12 u = 108
1 u = 108 ÷ 12 = 9
Number of starfruits that the stallholder had at first
= 32 u
= 32 x 9
= 288
(b)
Number of mangosteens that the stallholder had to sell to have an equal number of starfruits and mangosteens
= 12 u - 9 u
= 3 u
= 3 x 9
= 27
Answer(s): (a) 288; (b) 27