We know that the total amount of water in both pails is 34.5 liters, so we can write the equation:
S + L = 34.5
We're also given that when 0.68 liters of water is poured from the larger pail (L) into the smaller pail (S), the amount of water in the larger pail is 9 times that in the smaller pail. We can express this as:
L - 0.68 = 9(S + 0.68)
Now, we have a system of two equations:
S + L = 34.5
L - 0.68 = 9(S + 0.68)
We can solve this system of equations simultaneously to find the values of S and L. Start by solving equation (1) for L:
L = 34.5 - S
Now, substitute this expression for L into equation (2):
(34.5 - S) - 0.68 = 9(S + 0.68)
Now, solve for S:
33.82 - S = 9S + 6.12
Combine like terms:
10S = 27.7
Now, solve for S:
S = 27.7 / 10
S = 2.77
So, there were approximately 2.77 liters of water in the smaller pail at first.