document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=184330>Question 184330</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> A man is carrying rice on a journey. He passes through three custom stations. At the first he gives up 1/3 of his rice; at the second he is allowed to keep 1/3 of what is left; at the second he is allowed to keep 1/3 of what is left; and at the third. After passing through all three customs stations, he has 6 pounds less than he started with. How much rice did he have when he started?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I have been struggling with this problem for over a week now and still can't even figure out where to start. Thanks for the help </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #138367 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=scott8148><B>scott8148(6628)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=scott8148><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=scott8148><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=138367\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> let x=starting amount\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "\"At the first he gives up 1/3 of his rice\" ___ x-(1/3)x=(2/3)x remaining\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "\"at the second he is allowed to keep 1/3 of what is left\" ___ (1/3)*(2x/3)=2x/9 remaining\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "\"at the third, he gives up 1/4 of what remains\" ___ (2x/9)-(1/4)*(2x/9)=x/6 remaining\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "\"After passing through all three customs stations, he has 6 pounds less than he started with\"<BR>\n" );
document.write( "___ x/6 = x-6\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "multiplying by 6 ___ x=6x-36\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "adding 36-x ___ 36=5x\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "dividing by 5 ___ 7.2=x<BR>\n" );
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