There were some mangosteens and kiwis in Container B and Container C. In Container B, the ratio of the mangosteens to the number of kiwis was 3 : 1. In Container C, the ratio of the number of mangosteens to the number of kiwis was 3 : 1. There were 2 times as many fruits in Container B as in Container C. After another 72 kiwis were put into Container C, the ratio of the number of mangosteens to the number of kiwis in Container C became 1 : 3. How many fruits were there in Container B?

Container B		Container C
2x4 = 8 u		1x4 = 4 u
Mangosteens	Kiwis	Mangosteens	Kiwis
3x2	1x2	3	1
6 u	2 u	3 u	1 u

The total number of fruits in Container B is repeated.  Make the total number of fruits in Container B the same.  LCM of 2 and 4 is 8.

The total number of fruits in Container C at first is repeated.  Make the total number of fruits in Container C the same.  LCM of 1 and 4 is 4.

	Container B		Container C
	Mangosteens	Kiwis	Mangosteens	Kiwis
Before	6 u	2 u	3 u	1 u
Change				+ 72
After	6 u	2 u	1x3 = 3 u	3x3 = 9 u

Number of mangosteens in Container C remains unchanged.  Make the number of mangosteens in Container C the same.  LCM of 3 and 1 is 3.

Number of kiwis put into Container C
= 9 u - 1 u
= 8 u

8 u = 72

1 u = 72 ÷ 8 = 9

Number of fruits in Container B
= 6 u + 2 u
= 8 u
= 8 x 9
= 72

Answer(s): 72