Howard and Reggie shared some stickers in the ratio of 4 : 7. After both each gave away 52 stickers to their cousin, the ratio of the number of stickers Howard had to the total number of stickers left was 1 : 6. How many stickers did the two boys have in the end?

	Howard	Reggie	Difference
Before	4x4 = 16 u	7x4 = 28 u	3x4 = 12 u
Change	- 52	- 52
After	1x3 = 3 u	5x3 = 15 u	4x3 = 12 u

Number of stickers that Howard and Reggie each gave to their cousin is the same.

The difference in the number of stickers at first and in the end between Howard and Reggie remains unchanged.  Make the difference in the number of stickers the same.  LCM of 3 and 4 is 12.

Number of stickers that Howard gave to their cousin
= 16 u - 3 u
= 13 u

13 u = 52

1 u = 52 ÷ 13 = 4

Number of stickers that the two boys had in the end
= 3 u + 15 u
= 18 u
= 18 x 4
= 72

Answer(s): 72