Problema Solution

The ratios of the number of Sam's marbles to the number of Winston's marbles was 8:3.

After Sam gave 45 marbles to Winston, they had the same number of marbles. How many marbles did Sam have at first?

Answer provided by our tutors

let


s = the number of marbles Sam had

w = the number of marbles Winston had


The ratios of the number of Sam's marbles to the number of Winston's marbles was 8:3


s : w = 8 : 3


3s = 8w


After Sam gave 45 marbles to Winston, they had the same number of marbles


s - 45 = w + 45


by solving the system of equations


3s = 8w

s - 45 = w + 45


we find


s = 144 marbles


w = 54 marbles


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Sam had 144 marbles at first.