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?
+14913 How many strawberries were there at first?
Hello Guest!
\(\dfrac{x}{3}+\dfrac{x}{3}+\dfrac{x}{3}=x\\ 3\cdot (\dfrac{x}{3}-4)=\dfrac{x}{3}\\ x-12=\dfrac{x}{3}\\ \dfrac{2x}{3}=12\)
\(\large x=18\)
\({\color{blue}18\ strawberries}\ were\ there\ at\ first.\)
!
+313 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
