Hazel had four containers, L, M, N and P which contained a total of 212 mangosteens. She transferred 25 mangosteens from Container L to Container M, 69 mangosteens from Container M to Container N and 152 mangosteens from Container N to Container P. The ratio of the number of mangosteens in Container L to Container M to Container N changed from  3 : 6 : 11 to 1 : 5 : 8. How many mangosteens were in Container P at first?

	Make p the same (1)x5 = (3)	L (1)	M (2)	N	P
Before	15 u	3 u	6 u	11 u	?
Change 1	- 125	- 25	+ 25
Change 2			- 69	+ 69
Change 3				- 152	+ 152
After	5 p	1 p	5 p	8 p	?

3 u - 25 = 1 p --- (1)

6 u + 25 - 69 = 5 p
6 u - 44 = 5 p --- (2)

(1) _{x 5}
15 u - 125 = 5 p --- (3)

Make p the same.

(3) = (2)
15 u - 125 = 6 u - 44
15 u - 6 u = 125 - 44
9 u = 81

1 u = 81 ÷ 9 = 9

Total number of mangosteens in Container L, Container M and Container N
= 3 u + 6 u + 11 u
= 20 u

Total number of mangosteens in Container P at first
= 212 - 20 u
= 212 - 20 x 9
= 212 - 180
= 32

Answer(s): 32