Basket L and Basket M have a total of 48 sweets. After 6 sweets were transferred from Basket L to Basket M, there were 3 times as many sweets in Basket L as Basket M. How many sweets were there in each basket at first?
- Basket L
- Basket M
|
Basket L |
Basket M |
Total |
Before |
3 u + 6 |
1 u - 6 |
48 |
Change |
- 6 |
+ 6 |
|
After |
3 u |
1 u |
48 |
(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 = 48
1 u = 48 ÷ 4 = 12
Number of sweets in Basket L at first
= 3 u + 6
= 3 x 12 + 6
= 36 + 6
= 42
(b)
Number of sweets in Basket M at first
= 1 u - 6
= 12 - 6
= 6
Answer(s): (a) 42; (b) 6