Question

The ratio of money in Brian’s wallet to Colin’s wallet was 5:1

Brian spent £27 that day

Brian now had £3 less than Colin

How much did Brian initially have?

Answer 1

Brian initially had £30.

Explanation:

Let Brian initially had money in his wallet = £x

and Colin had the money = £y

Since ratio of money in Brian's wallet to Colin's wallet was 5 : 1

Therefore,
`(x)/(y)=5`

⇒ x = 5y -------(1)

Brian spent £27 that day, so money left with him = £(x - 27)

After spending the money Brian had £3 less than Colin.

(x - 27) = (y - 3)

x = y + 27 - 3

x = y + 24 -------(2)

Now we equate the equations (1) and (2) for the value of x,

5y = y + 24

5y - y = 24

4y = 24

y = £6

From equation (2),

x = 6 + 24

x = £30

Therefore, Brain initially had £30.