At first, Ben, Opal and Paul had some candy canes in the ratio 7 : 5 : 6 respectively. Ben had 273 candy canes. Then he gave all his candy canes to Opal and Paul. After receiving the candy canes from Ben, Opal and Paul had the same number of candy canes. How many candy canes did Opal receive from Ben?

	Ben	Opal	Paul	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 candy canes remains unchanged. Make the total number of candy canes the same.  LCM of 2 and 18 is 18.

Total number of candy canes = 18 u

Number of candy canes that Opal had in the end 
= 18 u ÷ 2
= 9 u

Number of candy canes that Ben had at first = 7 u 

7 u = 273

1 u = 273 ÷ 7 = 39

Number of candy canes that Opal received from Ben
= 9 u - 5 u
= 4 u
= 4 x 39
= 156

Answer(s): 156