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Question 1188046:  Alex, Bernard and Cindy had a total of 840 sweets. The ratio of the number of sweets Bernard had to the number of sweets Cindy had was 1:4. After Alex and Bernard each gave away 1/2 of their sweets, the 3 children had 620 sweets left. How many sweets did Bernard have at first? 
 Answer by ikleyn(52903)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! . 
Alex, Bernard and Cindy had a total of 840 sweets.  
The ratio of the number of sweets Bernard had to the number of sweets Cindy had was 1:4.  
After Alex and Bernard each gave away 1/2 of their sweets, the 3 children had 620 sweets left.  
How many sweets did Bernard have at first? 
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Let "x" be the number of sweets Bernard had at first.
Then the number of sweets Cindy had initially was 4x;
and the number of sweets Alex had initially was the rest, (840-x-4x) = 840-5x.
After Alex and Bernard each gave away 1/2 of their sweets, the 3 children had 620 sweets left. 
Mathematical translation is THIS equation
    0.5 * ((840-5x) + x) + 4x = 620    for the remaining sweets.
Simplify
    0.5*(840-4x) + 4x = 620
    420 - 2x + 4x     = 620
    420   + 2x        = 620
            2x        = 620 - 420 = 200
             x                    = 200/2 = 100.
ANSWER.  Bernard had 100 sweets at first.
 
Solved.
 
 
 
 
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