To calculate
the number of sports cards Miguel had.
Let y be the initial Corey's sports cards and x be the initial Miguel's sports cards then according to the question we have,
⇒ Initial Corey's sports cards= (\(1 {3 \over 4}{}{}\)) (Initial Miguel's sports cards)
⇒ y = (\( {7 \over 4}{}{}\))(x)
⇒ y =\({7x \over 4}{}{}\)
After giving half of Miguel's sports cards to his friend, Miguel's final sports cards are
\(x\)-\( {x \over 2}{}{}\) and Corey's sports card are \(y\)+\( {x \over 2}{}{}\).
According to the question,
⇒ Final Miguel's sports cards=(Final Corey's sports cards)−18
⇒ (x - \({x\over 2}{}{}\)) = (y + \( {x \over 2}{}{}\)) - 18
⇒ \(y\) = 18
Plug it above,
⇒ 18 = \( {7x \over 4}{}{}\)
⇒ \(x\) = \({18 * 4\over 7}{}{}\)
⇒ \(x\) = 10.29
⇒ \(x\) = 10
Thus, Miguel had 10 sports cards at first.