Boxes A and B contained 112 pencils. When 1/5 of the pencils in box A were transferred to box B, both boxes combined the same number of pencils. How many more pencils were there in box A than in Box B at first?

The number of pencils in the box A is 70

The number of pencils in the box B is 42

Step-by-step explanation:

The number of pencils in the box A is a

The number of pencils in the box B is b

We have:

a + b = 112

a - (1/5)a = b + (1/5)a

or

a + b = 112

a - (2/5)a = b

or

a + b = 112

(3/5)a = b

or

a + (3/5)a = 112

or

(8/5)a = 112

or

a = 112*(5/8)

or

a = 70

=> b = 112 - 70 = 42

Hope this helps!