Pru, Piper, Phoebe......ratio 5:3:4...added = 12
what this means is Pru has 5/12 of the total amount, Piper has 3/12 of the total amount, and Phoebe has 4/12 of the total amount
pru = piper + 24
5/12x = 3/12x + 24
5/12x - 3/12x = 24
2/12x = 24
x = 24 / (1/6)
x = 24 * 6
x = 144 spices in total
pru has : 5/12(144) = 720/12 = 60 spices
piper has : 3/12(144) = 432/12 = 36 spices
phoebe has : 4/12(144) = 576/12 = 48 spices <====