A total of 36 green staplers and white staplers are in a container. The ratio of green staplers to white staplers was 1 : 2. Some red staplers and purple staplers were put into the container. For every 4 white staplers that were already in the container, 16 purple ones were added. Then, the final number of green staplers and red staplers was ³₄ the final number of white staplers and purple staplers. Find the total number of red and purple staplers.

Red staplers	Green staplers	White staplers	Purple staplers
	1x2	2x2
		4x1	16x1
3x5		4x5
13 u	2 u	4 u	16 u

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

The total number of white staplers and purple staplers is repeated.  Make the total number of white and purple staplers the same.  LCM of 20 and 4 is 20.

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

6 u = 36

1 u = 36 ÷ 6 = 6

Total number of red and purple staplers
= 13 u + 16 u
= 29 u
= 29 x 6
= 174

Answer(s): 174