There were some oranges and pears in Box L and Box M. In Box L, the ratio of the oranges to the number of pears was 4 : 1. In Box M, the ratio of the number of oranges to the number of pears was 3 : 2. There were 3 times as many fruits in Box L as in Box M. After another 16 pears were put into Box M, the ratio of the number of oranges to the number of pears in Box M became 1 : 2. How many fruits were there in Box L?

Box L		Box M
3x5 = 15 u		1x5 = 5 u
Oranges	Pears	Oranges	Pears
4x3	1x3	3	2
12 u	3 u	3 u	2 u

The total number of fruits in Box L is repeated.  Make the total number of fruits in Box L the same.  LCM of 3 and 5 is 15.

The total number of fruits in Box M at first is repeated.  Make the total number of fruits in Box M the same.  LCM of 1 and 5 is 5.

	Box L		Box M
	Oranges	Pears	Oranges	Pears
Before	12 u	3 u	3 u	2 u
Change				+ 16
After	12 u	3 u	1x3 = 3 u	2x3 = 6 u

Number of oranges in Box M remains unchanged.  Make the number of oranges in Box M the same.  LCM of 3 and 1 is 3.

Number of pears put into Box M
= 6 u - 2 u
= 4 u

4 u = 16

1 u = 16 ÷ 4 = 4

Number of fruits in Box L
= 12 u + 3 u
= 15 u
= 15 x 4
= 60

Answer(s): 60