Use the ratio of apples to oranges to verify consistency, then use the pears to find the unit value.<br><br>
[[model:questions/solutions/q10437.png]]<br><br>
Let apples = \(4u\), oranges = \(5u\), pears = \(3u\).<br>
&bull; After 25% of apples eaten: apples remaining = 75% of \(4u = 3u\).<br>
&bull; After 20% of oranges eaten: oranges remaining = 80% of \(5u = 4u\).<br>
&bull; After adding 10 pears: pears after = \(3u + 10\).<br>
&bull; New ratio apples : oranges : pears = \(3u : 4u : (3u + 10) = 3 : 4 : 4\).<br>
&bull; Since \(3u : 4u = 3 : 4\) is automatically true, we use oranges and pears: \(4u : (3u + 10) = 4 : 4\).<br>
&bull; So \(4u = 3u + 10\), giving \(u = 10\).<br>
&bull; Total fruits at first = \(4u + 5u + 3u = 12u = 120\).<br><br>
There were 120 fruits in the basket at first.<br>
Check: 40 apples, 50 oranges, 30 pears. After: 30 apples, 40 oranges, 40 pears. Ratio = 3:4:4. ✓