Cole and Fabian shared some stamps in the ratio of 3 : 8. After both each gave away 24 stamps to their brother, the ratio of the number of stamps Cole had to the total number of stamps left was 1 : 5. How many stamps did the two boys have in the end?

	Cole	Fabian	Difference
Before	3x3 = 9 u	8x3 = 24 u	5x3 = 15 u
Change	- 24	- 24
After	1x5 = 5 u	4x5 = 20 u	3x5 = 15 u

Number of stamps that Cole and Fabian each gave to their brother is the same.

The difference in the number of stamps at first and in the end between Cole and Fabian remains unchanged.  Make the difference in the number of stamps the same.  LCM of 5 and 3 is 15.

Number of stamps that Cole gave to their brother
= 9 u - 5 u
= 4 u

4 u = 24

1 u = 24 ÷ 4 = 6

Number of stamps that the two boys had in the end
= 5 u + 20 u
= 25 u
= 25 x 6
= 150

Answer(s): 150