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The ratio of Peter's marbles to the number of Harry's marbles was 4:5. After Harry gave away 8 marbles and Peter bought another 11 marbles, Harry had as many marbles as Peter. How many marbles did Peter have at first?

 Feb 2, 2016

Best Answer 

 #1
avatar+33659 
+5

Peter's marbles initially = p

Harry's marbles initially = h

 

p/h = 4/5

 

p+11 = h - 8

 

From the first equation p = 4h/5.  Put this into the second

 

4h/5 + 11 = h - 8          Subtract 4h/5 from both sides and add 8 to both sides

 

19 = h/5               Multiply both sides by 5

 

h = 95               Put this into p = 4h/5 to get  

 

p = 4*95/5   or  p = 76

 

Peter had 76 marbles at first.

.

 Feb 2, 2016
 #1
avatar+33659 
+5
Best Answer

Peter's marbles initially = p

Harry's marbles initially = h

 

p/h = 4/5

 

p+11 = h - 8

 

From the first equation p = 4h/5.  Put this into the second

 

4h/5 + 11 = h - 8          Subtract 4h/5 from both sides and add 8 to both sides

 

19 = h/5               Multiply both sides by 5

 

h = 95               Put this into p = 4h/5 to get  

 

p = 4*95/5   or  p = 76

 

Peter had 76 marbles at first.

.

Alan Feb 2, 2016
 #2
avatar+129850 
+5

Call the number of marbles that  Harry had, x........so, Peter had (4/5)x

 

So

 

x - 8   = (4/5)x + 11       add 8 to both sides, subtract (4/5)x from both sides

 

(1/5)x   = 19                  multiply both sides by 5

 

x = 95   = the  number of marbles that Harry had, at first

 

And Peter had (4/5)x = (4/5)*95 =  76

 

Proof.....

 

Harry started with 95 and gave away 8   = 87

 

Peter started with  76 and received 11  = 87

 

 

cool cool cool

 Feb 2, 2016

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