Marion had four containers, B, C, D and E which contained a total of 281 persimmons. She transferred 35 persimmons from Container B to Container C, 101 persimmons from Container C to Container D and 212 persimmons from Container D to Container E. The ratio of the number of persimmons in Container B to Container C to Container D changed from  3 : 6 : 11 to 1 : 3 : 8. How many persimmons were in Container E at first?

	Make p the same (1)x3 = (3)	B (1)	C (2)	D	E
Before	9 u	3 u	6 u	11 u	?
Change 1	- 105	- 35	+ 35
Change 2			- 101	+ 101
Change 3				- 212	+ 212
After	3 p	1 p	3 p	8 p	?

3 u - 35 = 1 p --- (1)

6 u + 35 - 101 = 3 p
6 u - 66 = 3 p --- (2)

(1) _{x 3}
9 u - 105 = 3 p --- (3)

Make p the same.

(3) = (2)
9 u - 105 = 6 u - 66
9 u - 6 u = 105 - 66
3 u = 39

1 u = 39 ÷ 3 = 13

Total number of persimmons in Container B, Container C and Container D
= 3 u + 6 u + 11 u
= 20 u

Total number of persimmons in Container E at first
= 281 - 20 u
= 281 - 20 x 13
= 281 - 260
= 21

Answer(s): 21