Initially, the ratio of ed’s toy cars to pete’s toy cars was 5: 2. after ed gave 30 toy cars to pete, they each had an equal number of toy cars. how many toy cars did they have altogether?

In order for them to have a ratio of cars, there has to be a factor (because ed didn't have 5 cars, and Pete 2). Let's assume this factor to be x. So,

5x -30 = 2x + 30
3x = 60
x = 20

Therefore, Ed had 100 cars, and Pete had 40 cars.