In a container, there are candy canes of 3 colours, yellow, blue and purple. There are 272 less purple candy canes than blue candy canes. The number of purple candy canes is ¹₂ more than the yellow candy canes. Given that the number of purple candy canes is 12% of the total number of candy canes in the container, how many less yellow candy canes are there than blue candy canes?

Yellow candy canes	Blue candy canes	Purple candy canes
	1 u + 272	1 u
2x4		3x4
88%		12%
8%	80%	12%

1 + ¹₂ = ²₂ + ¹₂ = ³₂

Yellow candy canes : Purple candy canes = 2 : 3

The number of purple candy canes is repeated.  Make the number of purple candy canes the same.

3 x 4 = 12%

Total number of yellow candy canes and blue candy canes in percent
= 100% - 12%
= 88%

Number of blue candy canes in percent
= 88% - 8%
= 80%

Number of more blue candy canes than purple candy canes in percent
= 80% - 8%
= 68%

68% = 272

1% = 272 ÷ 68 = 4

Number of less yellow candy canes than blue candy canes
= 80% - 8%
= 72%
= 72 x 4
= 288

Answer(s): 288