Question

Bert and Ernie are looking at their paper clip collections. Bert has 5 paper clips for every 3 paper clips that Ernie has. If Bert gives Ernie 12 paper clips, they will have the same number of paper clips. How many paper clips did Bert have before he gave away any to Ernie?.

Answer 1

He has 60 paper clips before giving some away.

Explanation:

Before : 5x : 3x

After: 5x - 12 = 3x + 12

5x - 12 = 3x + 12

First, we need to take away the smallest value of x from the largest.

-3x

2x - 12 = 12

Then, we need to add +12 to get rid of -12 on the lefthand side.

2x = 24

Divide by 2 to get x on its own.

x = 12

Bert had 5x so we need to multiply x (what we found as 12) by 5. 12 x 5 = 60. Bert had 60 paper clips before he gave some away.

We can prove this answer as correct, too.

5 x 12 = 60

3 x 12 = 36

60 - 12 = 36 + 12

48 = 48

Hope this helps, have a good day. :D