Answer:
11: 12
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the number of oranges and pears Mr Lynch have initially be x and p respectively.
x -10= ½p
2(x -10)= p
p= 2x -20 -----(1)
Since Mr Lynch did not give any pears away, the number of pears at the end is the initial number of pears.
p= 24
Substitute p= 24 into (1):
2x -20= 24
2x= 24 +20 (+20 on both sides)
2x= 44
x= 44 ÷2
x= 22
[tex] \frac{x}{p} = \frac{22}{24} [/tex]
[tex] \frac{x}{p} = \frac{11}{12} [/tex]
Thus the ratio of orange to pears in the beginning is 11: 12.