Zeph had to paint some boxes. On the first day, the number of boxes he painted was 40% of the number of boxes that he had not painted. One week later, he painted another 262 boxes. As a result, the total number of painted boxes became 15 more than ³₄ of the total number of boxes. How many less boxes were painted than unpainted on the first day?

	Painted	Not painted	Total
Before	2x4 = 8 u	5x4 = 20 u	7x4 = 28 u
Change	+ 262	- 262
After	8 u + 262	20 u - 262	28 u
Comparing painted and not painted boxes in the end	3x7 + 15 = 21 u + 15	1x7 - 15 = 7 u - 15	4x7 = 28 u

40% = ⁴⁰₁₀₀ = ²₅
Painted : Not painted = 2 : 5

The total number of boxes remains unchanged. Make the total number of boxes at first and in the end the same.  LCM of 7 and 4 is 28.

The number of boxes painted in the end is repeated.

21 u + 15 = 8 u + 262
21 u - 8 u = 262 - 15
13 u = 247

1 u = 247 ÷ 13 = 19

Number of less boxes that were painted than not painted on the first day
= 20 u - 8 u
= 12 u
= 12 x 19
= 228

Answer(s): 228