SOLUTION: Hi there were some pears in box a and b. When 1/3 of the pears from a were taken out, a nd 5/9 were taken out from b there was an equal number of pears in both boxes. If 84 pear

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Question 1047330: Hi
there were some pears in box a and b. When 1/3 of the pears from a were taken out, a
nd 5/9 were taken out from b there was an equal number of pears in both boxes. If 84 pears were
taken out, how many were in both boxes at the start.
Thanks
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, MathTherapy:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39618) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a, original number in box a.
b, original number in box b.

Some pairs removed from both boxes.
%283%2F3-1%2F3%29a=%289%2F9-5%2F9%29b
%282%2F3%29a=%284%2F9%29b
6a=4b
3a=2b

Eight-four pairs were removed.
%281%2F3%29a%2B%285%2F9%29b=84
Multiply members by 9...
3a%2B5b=9%2A84
3a%2B5b=831

Solve the system of equations, system%283a=2b%2C3a%2B5b=831%29.

Answer by MathTherapy(10552) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Hi
there were some pears in box a and b. When 1/3 of the pears from a were taken out, a
nd 5/9 were taken out from b there was an equal number of pears in both boxes. If 84 pears were
taken out, how many were in both boxes at the start.
Thanks