+318 Ryan's bag contains 5 times as many coins as Gavin's bag. If Ryan gives 18 coins to Gavin, the two boys will have the same number of coins. What is the total number of coins?
+118673 Let Ryan have R coins and Gavin have G coins
Ryan's bag contains 5 times as many coins as Gavin's bag. so 5G=R (1)
If Ryan gives 18 coins to Gavin
that would mean that Ryan ends up with 18 less and Gavin will have 18 more than before,
then they will have the same amount.
so
R-18=G+18 (2)
Now you have 2 equations that must be solved simultaneously. Can you take it from there Tg ?
+118673 thanks for responding, unfortunately that is not correct because 5G does not equal R
lets see. You have 2 equations that must be solved simultaneously.
5G=R
R=5G (1)
and
R-18=G+18 (2)
so you have to replace R in the second equation with 5G (this is called substitution method)
(2) becomes
5G -18= = G+18
Now solve it for G and then go back and solve for R
+118673 Excellent.
I would have liked to have seen some of your working.
If you just guessed, using trial and error, that will not always work for you.
You need to know how to solve simultaneous equations formally.
Anyway, you have the right answer so congratulations!
And thanks for responding to my posts. 
