document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=237340>Question 237340</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Please help me understand how to solve the following problem? \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Three tired and hungry people had a big bag of apples. While the other two were asleep, one of the three awoke, ate one-third of the apples, and went back to sleep. Later a second person awoke, ate one-third of the remaining apples and went back to sleep. Finally, the third person awoke and ate one-third of the remaining apples, leaving 8 apples in the bag. How many apples were in the bag originally?  </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #174537 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=edjones><B>edjones(8007)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=edjones><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=edjones><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=174537\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Let x=the original number<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2/3 remained after the 1st ate 1/3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x * 2/3 * 2/3 * 2/3 =8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "8x/27=8<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x/27=1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x=27 apples<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Ed </SPAN>\n" );
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