Let p = pens
Pencils = 30-p
Total pencils after the exchange will be: 48 = 30-p + 2p
48 = 30 + p
18 = p (pens)
30-18 = 12 pencils
To check: 18×2 + 12 = 36+12 = 48
Gerry had a total of 30 pens and pencils. He decided to trade with his friends all of his pens and pencils. If he traded every pen for 2 pencils, he would have 48 pencils in all. How many pens and how many pencils did he have before the trade?
1 answer