document.write( "Question 372344: Here is a word problem that I'm having trouble setting up and solving\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "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? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #265314 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
one fourth of the birds flew away when they were startled by a noise.
\n" ); document.write( " Two birds left the feeder to go to another stationed a few feet away.
\n" ); document.write( " Three more birds flew into the branches of a nearby tree.
\n" ); document.write( " Four birds remained at the feeder.
\n" ); document.write( "How many birds were at the feeder initially?
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\n" ); document.write( "Step-by-step
\n" ); document.write( "Let x = no. of birds initially
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( ".75x; \"one fourth of the birds flew away \"
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( ".75x - 2; \"two birds left\"
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( ".75x - 2 - 3; \"three birds flew to a tree\"
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\n" ); document.write( ".75x - 5 = 4; \"four birds remain\"
\n" ); document.write( "solve for x
\n" ); document.write( ".75x = 4 + 5
\n" ); document.write( ".75x = 9
\n" ); document.write( "x = \"9%2F.75\"
\n" ); document.write( "x = 12 birds initially\r
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