There were some persimmons and apples in Container N and Container P. In Container N, the ratio of the persimmons to the number of apples was 3 : 1. In Container P, the ratio of the number of persimmons to the number of apples was 3 : 1. There were 3 times as many fruits in Container N as in Container P. After another 16 apples were put into Container P, the ratio of the number of persimmons to the number of apples in Container P became 1 : 3. How many fruits were there in Container N?

Container N		Container P
3x4 = 12 u		1x4 = 4 u
Persimmons	Apples	Persimmons	Apples
3x3	1x3	3	1
9 u	3 u	3 u	1 u

The total number of fruits in Container N is repeated.  Make the total number of fruits in Container N the same.  LCM of 3 and 4 is 12.

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

	Container N		Container P
	Persimmons	Apples	Persimmons	Apples
Before	9 u	3 u	3 u	1 u
Change				+ 16
After	9 u	3 u	1x3 = 3 u	3x3 = 9 u

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

Number of apples put into Container P
= 9 u - 1 u
= 8 u

8 u = 16

1 u = 16 ÷ 8 = 2

Number of fruits in Container N
= 9 u + 3 u
= 12 u
= 12 x 2
= 24

Answer(s): 24