Mrs. Jones wants to go shopping so she asks her husband for some money. Being busy, he just tell her to take what she needs out of his wallet. She first stops and buys a coat which costs her half of her money plus $2. She then stops and buys a dress, which costs her half of her remaining money plus $3 more. When she returns home she has $4 left and her husband wants to know how much money she took. Can you figure it out?

Question

Mrs. Jones wants to go shopping so she asks her husband for some money.  Being busy, he just tell her to take what she needs out of his wallet.  She first stops and buys a coat which costs her half of her money plus $2.  She then stops and buys a dress, which costs her half of her remaining money plus $3 more.  When she returns home she has $4 left and her husband wants to know how much money she took.  Can you figure it out?

Damon · Answer

coat = .5m+2 remainder = m -.5m-2 = .5m-2 dress = .5(.5m-2) +3 remainder = .5m-2 -.5(.5m-2)-3=4 .5m-2-.25m+1-3 = 4 .25 m -4 = 4 .25 m = 8 m = 32 ================== now try that coat = 16+2 = 18 left with 32-18 = 14 dress = 7+3 = 10 left with 4 whew !!