Michael and Sam gave away the same number of stickers. Michael gave away ⁶₁₁ of his stickers while Sam gave ⁴₉ of his stickers away. Given that Michael had 10 stickers less than Sam at first, how many stickers did Michael have at first?

	Michael	Sam
Before	11x2 = 22 u	9x3 = 27 u
Change	- 6x2 = - 12 u	- 4x3 = - 12 u
After	5x2 = 10 u	5x3 = 15 u

The number of stickers that Michael and Sam gave away is the same.  Make the number of stickers that Michael and Sam gave away the same. LCM of 6 and 4 is 12.

Number of stickers that Michael had at first = 22 u
Number of stickers that Sam had at first = 27 u

Number of stickers that Michael had less than Sam at first
= 27 u - 22 u
= 5 u

5 u = 10

1 u = 10 ÷ 5 = 2

Number of stickers that Michael had at first
= 22 u
= 22 x 2
= 44

Answer(s): 44