Question

The ratio of the number of apples to the number of pears in a basket was 3:5. After 7more apples were added to the basket and 9 pears were removed ,there were an equal number of apples and pears .how many apples and how many pears were originally in the basket

Answer 1

Apples = 24

Pears = 40

Explanation:

Let u be the unit of fruit in the basket,

number of apples:
`3u +7`

number of pears:
`5u -9`

now to find u, we equate the two equations.

`3u+7=5u-9`

Now simplify.

`5u-3u=7+9`

`2u=16`

`u=8`

Now we can find the original number of apples and pears by substituting u.

so original number of apples =
`3u = 3(8) = 24`

and original number of pears =
`5u = 5(8) = 40`