Pierre and Dylan shared some coins in the ratio of 5 : 8. After both each gave away 34 coins to their cousin, the ratio of the number of coins Pierre had to the total number of coins left was 1 : 6. How many coins did the two boys have in the end?

	Pierre	Dylan	Difference
Before	5x4 = 20 u	8x4 = 32 u	3x4 = 12 u
Change	- 34	- 34
After	1x3 = 3 u	5x3 = 15 u	4x3 = 12 u

Number of coins that Pierre and Dylan each gave to their cousin is the same.

The difference in the number of coins at first and in the end between Pierre and Dylan remains unchanged.  Make the difference in the number of coins the same.  LCM of 3 and 4 is 12.

Number of coins that Pierre gave to their cousin
= 20 u - 3 u
= 17 u

17 u = 34

1 u = 34 ÷ 17 = 2

Number of coins that the two boys had in the end
= 3 u + 15 u
= 18 u
= 18 x 2
= 36

Answer(s): 36