Nick and Albert shared some coins in the ratio of 3 : 8. After both each gave away 36 coins to their cousin, the ratio of the number of coins Nick had to the total number of coins left was 1 : 5. How many coins did the two boys have in the end?

	Nick	Albert	Difference
Before	3x3 = 9 u	8x3 = 24 u	5x3 = 15 u
Change	- 36	- 36
After	1x5 = 5 u	4x5 = 20 u	3x5 = 15 u

Number of coins that Nick and Albert each gave to their cousin is the same.

The difference in the number of coins at first and in the end between Nick and Albert remains unchanged.  Make the difference in the number of coins the same.  LCM of 5 and 3 is 15.

Number of coins that Nick gave to their cousin
= 9 u - 5 u
= 4 u

4 u = 36

1 u = 36 ÷ 4 = 9

Number of coins that the two boys had in the end
= 5 u + 20 u
= 25 u
= 25 x 9
= 225

Answer(s): 225