document.write( "Question 426005: Irene gave half of her marbles to patty and then 8 marbles to maria. she had 16 marbles left. How many marbles did she have at the beginning \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #296445 by josmiceli(19441) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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Let $\"x\"$ = number of marbles she started with
\n" ); document.write( "given:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+x+-+%281%2F2%29%2Ax+-+8+=+16+\"$
\n" ); document.write( "multiply both sides by $\"2\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+2x+-+x+-+16+=+32+\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+x+-+16+=+32\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Add $\"16\"$ to both sides
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+x+=+48+\"$
\n" ); document.write( "check:
\n" ); document.write( "She started with 48 marbles
\n" ); document.write( "She gave 24 to Irene, leaving 24
\n" ); document.write( "She gave 8 to Maria, leaving 16
\n" ); document.write( "OK \n" ); document.write( "

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