Ben and Ryan shared some stickers in the ratio of 3 : 8. After both each gave away 44 stickers to their cousin, the ratio of the number of stickers Ben had to the total number of stickers left was 1 : 5. How many stickers did the two boys have at first?

	Ben	Ryan	Difference
Before	3x3 = 9 u	8x3 = 24 u	5x3 = 15 u
Change	- 44	- 44
After	1x5 = 5 u	4x5 = 20 u	3x5 = 15 u

Number of stickers that Ben and Ryan each gave to their cousin is the same.

The difference in the number of stickers at first and in the end between Ben and Ryan remains unchanged.  Make the difference in the number of stickers the same.  LCM of 5 and 3 is 15.

Number of stickers that Ben gave to their cousin
= 9 u - 5 u
= 4 u

4 u = 44

1 u = 44 ÷ 4 = 11

Number of stickers that the two boys had at first
= 9 u + 24 u
= 33 u
= 33 x 11
= 363

Answer(s): 363