If Elsie has 5 1/2, Kevin has 1/4 and Julian has 1/3. Then after giving away 1/5 of her brownies, Elsie would have given away;
E = 5 1/2 * 1/5
E = 11/2 * 1/5
E = 11/10
E = 1 1/10
If Elsie gave away 1 and 1/10 of her brownies, she now has;
E = 5 1/2 - 1 1/10
E = 11/2 - 11/10
(Take the LCM to be 10)
E = (55 - 11)/10
E = 44/10
E = 4 4/10
E = 4 2/5
