Answer:
The number of guppies were in the shop in the beginning = 60
Explanation:
guppies ⇒ x , angelfish ⇒ y , goldfish ⇒ z
guppies to angelfish = 2 : 3 ⇒ x : y = 2 : 3 ⇒ x = 2/3 y
The number of angelfish was 2/3 the number of goldfish ⇒ y = 2/3 z
Or z = 3/2 y
The shopkeeper decided to replace 1/4 of the guppies with some angelfish. The number of angelfish she added was equal to the number of guppies she replaced
so, the number of guppies = 0.75x
and the number of angelfish = y + 0.25 x = y + 0.25 * 2/3 y
There were 30 more goldfish than angelfish in the end
z - (y + 0.25 * 2/3 y) = 30
so, 3/2 y - (y + 0.25 * 2/3 y) = 30
3/2 y - y - 1/6 y = 30
1/3 y = 30
y = 90
x = 2/3 y =2/3 * 90 = 60
z = 3/2 * 90 = 135
so, the number of guppies were in the shop in the beginning = 60