There were some lemons and kiwis in Container M and Container N. In Container M, the ratio of the lemons to the number of kiwis was 3 : 1. In Container N, the ratio of the number of lemons to the number of kiwis was 3 : 1. There were 2 times as many fruits in Container M as in Container N. After another 55 kiwis were put into Container N, the ratio of the number of lemons to the number of kiwis in Container N became 1 : 4. How many fruits were there in Container M?

Container M		Container N
2x4 = 8 u		1x4 = 4 u
Lemons	Kiwis	Lemons	Kiwis
3x2	1x2	3	1
6 u	2 u	3 u	1 u

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

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

	Container M		Container N
	Lemons	Kiwis	Lemons	Kiwis
Before	6 u	2 u	3 u	1 u
Change				+ 55
After	6 u	2 u	1x3 = 3 u	4x3 = 12 u

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

Number of kiwis put into Container N
= 12 u - 1 u
= 11 u

11 u = 55

1 u = 55 ÷ 11 = 5

Number of fruits in Container M
= 6 u + 2 u
= 8 u
= 8 x 5
= 40

Answer(s): 40