Box W and Box X have a total of 72 sweets. After 12 sweets were transferred from Box W to Box X, there were 3 times as many sweets in Box W as Box X. How many sweets were there in each box in the end?
- Box W
- Box X
|
Box W |
Box X |
Total |
Before |
3 u + 12 |
1 u - 12 |
72 |
Change |
- 12 |
+ 12 |
|
After |
3 u |
1 u |
72 |
(a)
The total number of sweets at first and in the end remains the same.
Total number of sweets in the end
= 3 u + 1 u
= 4 u
4 u = 72
1 u = 72 ÷ 4 = 18
Number of sweets in Box W in the end
= 3 u
= 3 x 18
= 54
(b)
Number of sweets in Box X in the end
= 1 u
= 18
Answer(s): (a) 54; (b) 18