A total of 12 green staplers and black staplers are in a container. The ratio of green staplers to black staplers was 1 : 2. Some blue staplers and white staplers were put into the container. For every 4 black staplers that were already in the container, 12 white ones were added. Then, the final number of green staplers and blue staplers was ¹₂ the final number of black staplers and white staplers. Find the total number of blue and white staplers.

Blue staplers	Green staplers	Black staplers	White staplers
	1x2	2x2
		4x1	12x1
1x8		2x8
6 u	2 u	4 u	12 u

The number of black staplers is repeated.  Make the number of black staplers the same.  LCM of 2 and 4 is 4.

The total number of black staplers and white staplers is repeated.  Make the total number of black and white staplers the same.  LCM of 16 and 2 is 16.

Total number of green staplers and black staplers
= 2 u + 4 u
= 6 u

6 u = 12

1 u = 12 ÷ 6 = 2

Total number of blue and white staplers
= 6 u + 12 u
= 18 u
= 18 x 2
= 36

Answer(s): 36