SOLUTION: Sam and Lynn had 96 storybooks altogether. Sam gave 1/4 of his storybooks to Lynn. Lynn then gave 1/3 of the total number of storybook she had to Sam. In the end, they had the sa

Algebra ->  Percentage-and-ratio-word-problems -> SOLUTION: Sam and Lynn had 96 storybooks altogether. Sam gave 1/4 of his storybooks to Lynn. Lynn then gave 1/3 of the total number of storybook she had to Sam. In the end, they had the sa      Log On


   



Question 1186025: Sam and Lynn had 96 storybooks altogether. Sam gave 1/4 of his
storybooks to Lynn. Lynn then gave 1/3 of the total number of storybook
she had to Sam. In the end, they had the same number of storybooks.
How many storybooks did each of them have at first?

Found 2 solutions by EaazyGoarth, ikleyn:
Answer by EaazyGoarth(2) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
48 ÷ 2 = 24
24 / 3 = 8
8 ×4 = 32
96 - 32 = 64

Answer by ikleyn(52752) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

Dear student @EaazyGoarth (!)


In your post, I see some manipulations with some numbers, but I do not understand these numbers,
these manipulations and your thoughts behind these manipulations.


At this forum, we, the tutors, do not serve the visitors this way.


We make it differently . . .


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Sam and Lynn had 96 storybooks altogether. Sam gave 1/4 of his
storybooks to Lynn. Lynn then gave 1/3 of the total number of storybook
she had to Sam. In the end, they had the same number of storybooks.
How many storybooks did each of them have at first?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam  = x books at the beginning.

Lynn = y books at the beginning.


After giving  x%2F4 of his book to Lynn,  Sam has  %283x%29%2F4  books left;  Lynn has  y+%2B+x%2F4  books.


After giving 1/3 of her  %28y%2Bx%2F4%29  books to Sam,  Lynn has %282%2F3%29%2A%28y%2Bx%2F4%29 books left;  Sam has %283x%29%2F4 + %281%2F3%29%2A%28y%2Bx%2F4%29.


At the end, each of them has 48 books, which gives you these two equations


    %283x%29%2F4 + %281%2F3%29%2A%28y%2Bx%2F4%29 = 48     (1)    (the number of Sam's books at the end)

    %282%2F3%29%2A%28y%2Bx%2F4%29 = 48             (2)    (the number of Sam's books at the end)


To solve, multiply equations (1) and (2) by 12 each; then simplify


    9x + 4*(4y+x) = 576    (1')

    8*(4y+x)      = 576    (2')


From (2'),  4y + x = 576/8 = 72.   Substitute this value 72 into equation (1'), replacing 4y+x there.  You will get

    
    9x + 4*72 = 576


which implies


    9x = 576 - 4*72 = 288,  x = 288/9 = 32.


Thus Sam had 32 books at the beginning;  Lynn had  the rest  96 - 32 = 64 books.    ANSWER


Your last step is to check / (to verify) that the manipulations as described in the problem, lead 
to the correct result.


I did this check for myself; you should do it for yourself.

Solved.