Question

An aquarium contained an equal number of horseshoe crabs and sea stars. After 15 horseshoe crabs were removed and 27 sea stars were removed, the ratio of horseshoe crabs to sea stars was 5:3. How many horseshoe crabs and sea stars were there at first? Solve this problem and explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

Answer:

45 horseshoe crabs and 45 sea stars

Step-by-step explanation:

The aquarium initially contained x crabs and x sea stars.

"After 15 horseshoe crabs and 27 sea stars are removed the ratio of horseshoe crabs to sea stars is 5:3"

(x-15):(x-27) = 5:3

(x-15)/(x-27) = 5/3

3(x-15) = 5(x-27)

3x-45 = 5x-135

90 = 2x

x = 45