document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=99717>Question 99717</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> 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? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #72586 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=72586\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> let x=number of birds initially<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x-x/4-2-3=4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "multiply 4 times each side: 4x-x-8-12=16<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3x-20=16<BR>\n" );
document.write( "add 20 to each side: 3x=36<BR>\n" );
document.write( "divide 3 into each side: x=12 bird originally at the feeder.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Check:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "12-12/4-2-3=4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "12-3-2-3=4 true<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Ed<BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );