SOLUTION: Here is a word problem that I'm having trouble setting up and solving While Michelle sat observing birds at a bird feeder, one fourth of the birds flew away when they were start

Question 372344: Here is a word problem that I'm having trouble setting up and solving
While Michelle sat observing birds at a bird feeder, one fourth of the birds flew away when they were startled by a noise. Two birds left the feeder to go to another stationed a few feet away. Three more birds flew into the branches of a nearby tree. Four birds remained at the feeder. How many birds were at the feeder initially?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
one fourth of the birds flew away when they were startled by a noise.
Two birds left the feeder to go to another stationed a few feet away.
Three more birds flew into the branches of a nearby tree.
Four birds remained at the feeder.
How many birds were at the feeder initially?
:
:
Step-by-step
Let x = no. of birds initially
:
.75x; "one fourth of the birds flew away "
:
.75x - 2; "two birds left"
:
.75x - 2 - 3; "three birds flew to a tree"
:
.75x - 5 = 4; "four birds remain"
solve for x
.75x = 4 + 5
.75x = 9
x =
x = 12 birds initially

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