Two children had 110 marbles between them. After one child has lost half her marbles and the other had lost 20 they had an equal number each. How many did each start with and how many did each finish with?

Can you please solve this problem using using simultaneous equations with full working out. Thanks.:)

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Originally Posted by MynameisBob

Two children had 110 marbles between them. After one child has lost half her marbles and the other had lost 20 they had an equal number each. How many did each start with and how many did each finish with?

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Write this data in (simultaneous) linear equations :

Child 1 = a ; child 2 = b ; a + b = 110 ; ½a = b - 20

a + b = 110 -> a = -b + 110
½a = b - 20 -> a = 2b - 40

Now solve a and b from these data !