word problem

Question

sarawong had some candy to give to his five children. he first took nine pieces for himself and then evenly divided the rest among his children. each child received three pieces. with how many pieces did he start?

Answer 1

Step 1:

start number = x

pieces he took for himself = 9

each child's share =  3 pieces

number of children = 5

 

Step 2:

total for children = number of children x each child's share

total for children = 5 children  x 3 pieces

total for children = 5 x 3

total for children = 15

 

Step 3:

start number = pieces he took for himself + total for children

start number = 9 + 15

x = 9 + 15

x = 24

 

Check:

If he started with 24 pieces and gave himself nine, and gave each of his five children three...

then he has given all of his candy, and he is left with 0.