3 friends divided some strawberries equally. After they each ate 4 strawberries, the total number of strawberries left was equal to the amount each friend had at the beginning. How many strawberries were there at first?
How many strawberries were there at first?
Hello Guest!
\(\dfrac{x}{3}+\dfrac{x}{3}+\dfrac{x}{3}=x\\ 3\cdot (\dfrac{x}{3}-4)=\dfrac{x}{3}\\ x-12=\dfrac{x}{3}\\ \dfrac{2x}{3}=12\)
\(\large x=18\)
\({\color{blue}18\ strawberries}\ were\ there\ at\ first.\)
!
Let total number of strawberries = x.
Since 3 friends divided strawberries equally therefore
each friends get x/3 strawberries.
Because x/3 + x/3 + x/3 = x.
Since, after they each ate 4 strawberries, the total number of strawberries left was equal to the amount each friend had at the beginning.
That is (x/3-4) + (x/3-4) (x/3-4) = x/3 (because at the beginning each friend has x/3 strawberries).
=> 3x/3 - 12 = x/3
=> n - 12 = x/3 => 3(n - 12) = x
=> 3n - 36 = n => 2n = 36 => n = 18
The total number of strawberries = 18