Joe bought a large bag of golf balls.

Question

Joe bought a large bag of golf balls. He gave 9 to his neighbor and then gave 20% of what was left to his niece. He kept 1/2 of what was left and divided the other 1/2 among his four brothers, each of whom got 21 golf balls. How many gold balls did Joe originally have?

Answer 1

Amy, work backward.

 

21(4) = 84 to the brothers

84(2) = 168  before giving to brothers

 

If he gave 20% away, 168 is 80% of what he had.

 

0.8g = 168

g = 210

 

210 + 9 = 219 golf balls