Question 1136843
{{{ b = (2/5)*a }}}
{{{ (5/7)*( a - 44 ) = b }}}
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{{{ ( 5/7)*( a - 44 ) = ( 2/5 )*a }}}
Multiply both sides by {{{ 35 }}}
{{{ 25*( a - 44 ) = 14a }}}
{{{ 25a - 1100 = 14a }}}
{{{ 11a = 1100 }}}
{{{ a = 100 }}}
Alpha had 100 marbles to start with
and
{{{ b = (2/5)*100 }}}
{{{ b = 40 }}}
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check:
{{{ (5/7)*( a - 44 ) = b }}}
{{{ ( 5/7)*56 = 40 }}}
{{{ 5*56 = 7*40 }}}
{{{ 280 = 280 }}}
OK