If the ratio of red candles to blue candles Avianna bought was 5:3, then the total ratio was 5+3 = 8.
If 5 represented 45 candles in the total ratio, then 8, the actual ratio, represents 8*45 = 360 divided by 5 is 360/5 = 72 candles.
If the total number of candles was 72, then the number of blue candles is 72 candles - 45 candles = <<72-45=27>>27 candles
#### 27