Math Problem Statement

The ratio of the number of marbles Farhan had to the number of marbles Junhao had was 3 : 4. After Farhan bought 15 more marbles, the ratio became 3 : 2. How many marbles did Farhan and Junhao have altogether at first?

Solution

To solve this problem, let’s carefully analyze the information provided.

  1. Initial Ratio of Marbles:

    • The initial ratio of the number of marbles Farhan had to the number of marbles Junhao had is 3:43 : 4.
  2. Change in Marbles:

    • After Farhan bought 15 more marbles, the ratio of Farhan's marbles to Junhao's marbles became 3:23 : 2.
    • It's important to note that only Farhan’s number of marbles changed; Junhao's marbles remained the same throughout the process.
  3. Setting Up the Equations:

    • Let 3x3x represent the initial number of marbles Farhan had, and 4x4x represent the initial number of marbles Junhao had.
    • After Farhan buys 15 more marbles, his number of marbles becomes 3x+153x + 15.
    • According to the new ratio 3:23 : 2, we can write the equation: 3x+154x=32\frac{3x + 15}{4x} = \frac{3}{2}
  4. Solving the Equation:

    • Cross-multiplying gives: 2(3x+15)=3(4x)2(3x + 15) = 3(4x)
    • Expanding both sides: 6x+30=12x6x + 30 = 12x
    • Rearranging terms: 30=6x30 = 6x
    • Solving for xx: x=5x = 5
  5. Calculating the Initial Number of Marbles:

    • Substituting x=5x = 5 back into the expressions for Farhan’s and Junhao’s marbles:
      • Farhan’s initial marbles = 3x=3×5=153x = 3 \times 5 = 15
      • Junhao’s initial marbles = 4x=4×5=204x = 4 \times 5 = 20
  6. Total Number of Marbles Initially:

    • The total number of marbles Farhan and Junhao had together initially is: 15+20=3515 + 20 = 35

Answer: Farhan and Junhao had a total of 35 marbles initially.

Would you like a deeper explanation on any of these steps?


Here are five follow-up questions that build on this topic:

  1. If Farhan had bought 10 more marbles instead of 15, would the ratio change?
  2. How would the solution differ if the initial ratio was given as 4:54 : 5?
  3. What if both Farhan and Junhao increased their marbles by the same amount? How would the final ratio change?
  4. Can you generalize a formula for situations where two quantities are in a ratio and one quantity changes?
  5. What is the impact of proportional changes on the ratios in a different context, such as distance or speed?

Tip: Ratios can be scaled up or down by a common factor, but solving for unknowns often requires setting up equations based on the conditions given.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Ratios
Algebra
Proportion

Formulas

Ratio formula: a : b
Proportion equation: (a + change) / b = new_ratio

Theorems

Proportion theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 5-7