At first, Xavier, Linda and Ahmad had some caramel apples in the ratio 7 : 5 : 6 respectively. Xavier had 273 caramel apples. Then he gave all his caramel apples to Linda and Ahmad. After receiving the caramel apples from Xavier, Linda and Ahmad had the same number of caramel apples. How many caramel apples did Linda receive from Xavier?

	Xavier	Linda	Ahmad	Total
Before	7x1 = 7 u	5x1 = 5 u	6x1 = 6 u	18x1 = 18 u
Change	- 7 u	+ 7 u
After	0	1x9 = 9 u	1x9 = 9 u	2x9 = 18 u

The total number of caramel apples remains unchanged. Make the total number of caramel apples the same.  LCM of 2 and 18 is 18.

Total number of caramel apples = 18 u

Number of caramel apples that Linda had in the end 
= 18 u ÷ 2
= 9 u

Number of caramel apples that Xavier had at first = 7 u 

7 u = 273

1 u = 273 ÷ 7 = 39

Number of caramel apples that Linda received from Xavier
= 9 u - 5 u
= 4 u
= 4 x 39
= 156

Answer(s): 156