Box B contains 1/2 as many paper clips as box A box C contains 2/3 as many paper clips as box B. The average number of paper clips per box is 143. How many paper clips are there in box A?
Let's assume the number of paper clips in box A is x.
According to the given conditions:
Box B contains 1/2 as many paper clips as box A: Number of paper clips in box B = x/2
Box C contains 2/3 as many paper clips as box B: Number of paper clips in box C = (2/3)(x/2) = x/3
The average number of paper clips per box is 143:
( x + x/2 + x/3 ) / 3 = 143
(6x + 3x + 2x) / 6 = 143
11x = 858
x = 78
Therefore, there are 78 paper clips in box A.