Mary gave 1/2 of her candy to Jim. Jim gives 1/3 of that to Tim. Tim gives 1/4 of that to T. If T has 2, how many did Mary start with

Question

X-(1/2)-(1/3)-(1/4)

Answer 1

Andy C is correct with the algebraic solution

derived from 1/4 of 1/3 of 1/2 of x = 2

 

You can also go with:

 

Mary had x candies

Jim got x/2

Tim got (1/3)(x/2) = x/6

T got (1/4)(x/6) = x/24 = 2

 

x/24=2

x = 48

 

This is the same thing Andy C did, just explained out some.

Answer 2

T has 2 --> Tim had 4 x 2 = 8 ---> Jim has 8 x 3 = 24 ---> Mary had 48.

 

Here's an algebraic solution you are suggesting:

 

 Let X = Mary's candy

 

1/4(1/3(1/2(X))) = 2

 

(1/24)X = 2

 

X = 48