SOLUTION: I need help, Please. It is a word problem and I am stuck. What I have so far is x=# of plants stolen 3=# of security guards but I am lost from there, please help. A thief stea

SOLUTION: I need help, Please. It is a word problem and I am stuck. What I have so far is x=# of plants stolen 3=# of security guards but I am lost from there, please help. A thief stea

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Question 189449: I need help, Please.
It is a word problem and I am stuck.
What I have so far is x=# of plants stolen
3=# of security guards but I am lost from there, please help.
A thief steals a number of rare plants from a nursery. On the way out, the thief meets three security guards, one after another. To each security guard, the thief is forced to give one-half the plants that he still has, plus 2 more. Finally, the thief leaves the nursery with 1 lone palm. How many plants were originally stolen?
Thank You.
Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Let x be the number of plants that he starts with, just like you said. Now, if he gives the first guard half plus 2, what he will have left is half minus 2.

And this is the amount he will have when he gives the next guard half plus 2; after which encounter he will have:

remaining. And finally, after the last encounter he has:

remaining, and we are told this is equal to 1, so:

Add 2 to both sides, then multiply by 2.

Add 2 to both sides, then multiply by 2.

Add 2 to both sides, then multiply by 2.

John

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