Write an equation for this scenario
Elsa and Ellie were trading stickers. Elsa has three times as many stickers as Ellie, however after Elsa’s gives Ellie 5 stickers they both have the same amount. How many stickers did Elsa and Ellie have originally?
Let x be the initial number of stickers Elsa had and y be the initial number of stickers Ellie had.
According to the scenario:
x = 3y (Elsa has three times as many stickers as Ellie)
x - 5 = y + 5 (After Elsa gives Ellie 5 stickers, they both have the same amount)
Substitute the value of x from the first equation into the second equation:
3y - 5 = y + 5
2y = 10
y = 5
Therefore, Ellie originally had 5 stickers.
And Elsa originally had:
x = 3y
x = 3(5)
x = 15
Elsa originally had 15 stickers.