Adam has 172 stickers.
After ²₅ of the blue stickers is given away and
another 36 red stickers are bought,
there is an equal number of blue and red stickers.

1. How many blue stickers are there in the end?
2. How many less red stickers than blue stickers are there at first?
3. How many blue stickers are given away?

	Blue	Red
Before	5 u	3 u - 36
Change	- 2 u	+ 36
After	3 u	3 u

(a)
Fraction of the blue stickers left
= 1 - ²₅
= ³₅

The number of blue stickers and red stickers in the end is the same.

Total number of stickers at first
= 5 u + 3 u - 36
= 8 u - 36

8 u - 36 = 172
8 u = 172 + 36
8 u = 208

1 u = 208 ÷ 8 = 26

Number of blue stickers in the end
= 3 u
= 3 x 26
= 78

(b)
Number of less red stickers than blue stickers at first
= 5 u - (3 u - 36)
= 5 u - 3 u + 36
= 2 u + 36
= 2 x 26 + 36
= 52 + 36
= 88

(c)
Number of blue stickers given away
= 2 u
= 2 x 26
= 52

Answer(s): (a) 78; (b) 88; (c) 52