In a store, some flying saucers and toy masks were on sale. ¹₄ of the items were flying saucers. ²₃ of the flying saucers and 156 toy masks were sold. There were ¹₉ of the items left in the store. How many flying saucers and toy masks were there in the store at first?

	Flying saucers	Toy masks	Total
Comparing flying saucers  and toy masks at first	1x9 = 9 u	3x9 = 27 u	4x9 = 36 u
Before	3x3 =  9 u		9x4 = 36 u
Change	- 2x3 = - 6 u	- 156	- 8x4 = - 32 u
After	1x3 = 3 u	1 u	1x4 = 4 u

 
The total number of toys at first is repeated.  Make the total number of toys at first the same. LCM of 4 and 9 is 36.

The number of flying saucers at first is repeated.  Make the number of flying saucers the same. LCM of 9 and 3 is 9. 

Number of toy masks left
= 4 u - 3 u
= 1 u

Number of toy masks sold
= 27 u - 1 u
= 26 u

26 u = 156

1 u = 156 ÷ 26 = 6

Number of flying saucers and toy masks at first
= 36 u
= 36 x 6
= 216

Answer(s): 216