At first, Seth, Mary and Caden had some candy canes in the ratio 5 : 3 : 4 respectively. Seth had 180 candy canes. Then he gave all his candy canes to Mary and Caden. After receiving the candy canes from Seth, Mary and Caden had the same number of candy canes. How many candy canes did Mary receive from Seth?

	Seth	Mary	Caden	Total
Before	5x1 = 5 u	3x1 = 3 u	4x1 = 4 u	12x1 = 12 u
Change	- 5 u	+ 5 u
After	0	1x6 = 6 u	1x6 = 6 u	2x6 = 12 u

The total number of candy canes remains unchanged. Make the total number of candy canes the same.  LCM of 2 and 12 is 12.

Total number of candy canes = 12 u

Number of candy canes that Mary had in the end 
= 12 u ÷ 2
= 6 u

Number of candy canes that Seth had at first = 5 u 

5 u = 180

1 u = 180 ÷ 5 = 36

Number of candy canes that Mary received from Seth
= 6 u - 3 u
= 3 u
= 3 x 36
= 108

Answer(s): 108