Question

(4)

the ratio of cockles to winkles in a bag of

sea shells is 1:2

when 6 winkles are accidentally spilt from

the bag the ratio is 3:5

how many of each shell were there

initially?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Let the number of cockles be c and that of winkles be w.

From the first relation,

w = 2c ..........(I)

From the second relation, 6 winkles are accidentally split.

This in equation form means the following:

c/w- 6 = 3/5

By cross multiplication,

5c = 3(w - 6)...........(ii)

We know w = 2c , let’s substitute this into the second equation.

5c = 3(2c - 6)

5c = 6c - 18

Collecting like times, c = 18

And w = 2c = 2(18) = 36

Hence, there were initially 18 cockles and 36 winkles