Question

Mr. Lynch bought some oranges and pears.

After giving away 10 oranges, he had twice
as many pears as oranges left. If he had 24
pears in the end, what was the ratio of
oranges to pears in the beginning?

Answer 1

11: 12

Explanation:

Let the number of oranges and pears Mr Lynch have initially be x and p respectively.

x -10= ½p

2(x -10)= p

p= 2x -20 -----(1)

Since Mr Lynch did not give any pears away, the number of pears at the end is the initial number of pears.

p= 24

Substitute p= 24 into (1):

2x -20= 24

2x= 24 +20 (+20 on both sides)

2x= 44

x= 44 ÷2

x= 22

`(x)/(p) = (22)/(24)`

`(x)/(p) = (11)/(12)`

Thus the ratio of orange to pears in the beginning is 11: 12.