Question

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

Answer 1

24 apples and 40 pears

Explanation:

Originally:

The ratio of the number of apples to the number of pears in a basket was 3 : 5.

Number of apples = 3x

Number of pears = 5x

Finally:

After 7 more apples were added to the basket and 9 pears were removed, there were an equal number of apples and pears.

Number of apples = 3x + 7

Number of pears = 5x - 9

Hence,

`3x+7=5x-9`

Solve it:

`3x+7-5x=5x-9-5x\\ \\-2x+7=-9\\ \\-2x+7-7=-9-7\\ \\-2x=-16\\ \\2x=16\\ \\x=8`

Originally, there were

`3\cdot 8=24` apples

and

`5\cdot 8=40` pears.