Question

Aaron and Maria collected shells one morning at the beach. Maria had 3 times as many as Aaron, but they would have the same number of shells if Aaron had found 8 more and Maria had found 6 less. How many shells did Aaron collect?

Answer 1

3A = M
A + 8 = M - 6
3A = M

A + 8 = 3A - 6
A + 14 = 3A
14 = 2A
A = 7

M = 3A
M = 3 x 7
M = 21

So overall Aaron had 7 shells, and Maria had 21.