SOLUTION: The ratios of the number of sweets Abigail has to the number of sweets Ben has is 4 : 5 at first. After Abigail bought another 16 sweets and Ben ate 2 sweets, Abigail has thrice as

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: The ratios of the number of sweets Abigail has to the number of sweets Ben has is 4 : 5 at first. After Abigail bought another 16 sweets and Ben ate 2 sweets, Abigail has thrice as      Log On


   

Question 1064870: The ratios of the number of sweets Abigail has to the number of sweets Ben has is 4 : 5 at first. After Abigail bought another 16 sweets and Ben ate 2 sweets, Abigail has thrice as many sweets as Ben. How many sweets did Ben have in the end?
Answer by jorel1380(3719) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let n be the common denominator of the sweets each have. Then
4n+16:5n-2::3:1 So:
4n+16=3(5n-2)
4n+16=15n-6
11n=22
n=2
At the beginning, Abigail has 4n, or 8 sweets; and Ben has 5n, or 10. Ben then eats 2 sweets, leaving him with 8. ☺☺☺☺