Bryan and Sean shared some stickers in the ratio of 5 : 8. After both each gave away 204 stickers to their brother, the ratio of the number of stickers Bryan had to the total number of stickers left was 1 : 6. How many stickers did the two boys have at first?

	Bryan	Sean	Difference
Before	5x4 = 20 u	8x4 = 32 u	3x4 = 12 u
Change	- 204	- 204
After	1x3 = 3 u	5x3 = 15 u	4x3 = 12 u

Number of stickers that Bryan and Sean each gave to their brother is the same.

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

Number of stickers that Bryan gave to their brother
= 20 u - 3 u
= 17 u

17 u = 204

1 u = 204 ÷ 17 = 12

Number of stickers that the two boys had at first
= 20 u + 32 u
= 52 u
= 52 x 12
= 624

Answer(s): 624