document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=145989>Question 145989</A>This question is from textbook <A HREF=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0131752049/algebrahomeworkh>Thinking Mathematically</A><BR>\n" );
document.write( ": <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> 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?  I did this one, but I am not sure if it was done correctly.  My answer is 76.  Sometimes I think I over think the problem.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Thank you for your help!!  </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #106543 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><B>ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=ankor@dixie-net.com><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=106543\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> 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? I did this one, but I am not sure if it was done correctly. My answer is 76. Sometimes I think I over think the problem.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Let x = no. of plants stolen<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "After the 1st guard:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x - (.5x+2)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x -.5x - 2<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".5x-2 plants left<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "After the 2nd guard<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(.5x-2) - (.5(.5x-2)+2)<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".5x - 2 - (.25x-1+2)<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".5x - 2 - (.25x+1)<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".5x - 2 - .25x - 1<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".25x - 3 plants left<BR>\n" );
document.write( ":<BR>\n" );
document.write( "After the 3rd guard<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(.25x-3) - (.5(.25x-3)+2) = 1<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".25x - 3 - (.125x-1.5+2) = 1<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".25x - 3 -(.125x+.5) = 1<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".25x - 3 -.125x -.5 = 1<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".125x - 3.5 = 1<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".125x = 1 + 3.5<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=4.5%2F.125 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"4.5%2F.125\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = 36 plants <BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Check solution<BR>\n" );
document.write( "36 - 20 = 16<BR>\n" );
document.write( "16 - 10 = 6<BR>\n" );
document.write( "6 - 5 = 1 </SPAN>\n" );
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