Mark and Justin shared some stickers in the ratio of 3 : 8. After both each gave away 24 stickers to their sister, the ratio of the number of stickers Mark had to the total number of stickers left was 1 : 5. How many stickers did the two boys have at first?

	Mark	Justin	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 stickers that Mark and Justin each gave to their sister is the same.

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

Number of stickers that Mark gave to their sister
= 9 u - 5 u
= 4 u

4 u = 24

1 u = 24 ÷ 4 = 6

Number of stickers that the two boys had at first
= 9 u + 24 u
= 33 u
= 33 x 6
= 198

Answer(s): 198