Question

The ratio of Alex’s toy cars to Pete’s toy cars was initially 7:3. After Alex gave 20 toy cars to Pete, they each had an equal number of cars. How many toy cars did they have altogether?

Answer 1

Alex : Pete = 7 : 3

Define x:

Let x be the constant ratio.

Alex : Pete = 7x : 3x

Solve x:

After Alex gave 20 toy cars to Pete, they each had an equal number of cars

7x - 20 = 3x + 20

4x = 40

x = 10

Find the number of cars they have altogether:

7x + 3x = 10x

10x = 10(10) = 100 cars

Answer: They have 100 cars altogether