document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1163025>Question 1163025</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> A Prince picked a basket full of golden apples in the enchanted orchard. On his way home, he was stopped by a troll who guarded the orchard. The troll demanded payment of one-half of the apples plus two more. The prince gave him the apples and set off again. A little further on, he was stopped by a second troll guard. This troll demanded payment of one-half of the apples the prince now had plus two more. The prince paid him and set off again. Just before leaving the enchanted orchard, a third troll stopped him and demanded one-half of his remaining apples plus two more. The prince paid him and sadly went home. He had only two golden apples left.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "(a)	How many apples had he picked? (show all your workings) </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #786965 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><B>ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><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=ankor@dixie-net.com><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=786965\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> A Prince picked a basket full of golden apples in the enchanted orchard.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "let a = original no. of apples<BR>\n" );
document.write( " On his way home, he was stopped by a troll who guarded the orchard. <BR>\n" );
document.write( " The troll demanded payment of one-half of the apples plus two more.<BR>\n" );
document.write( " The prince gave him the apples and set off again.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a - .5a - 2 = (.5a-2) apples remaining<BR>\n" );
document.write( ": <BR>\n" );
document.write( "A little further on, he was stopped by a second troll guard.<BR>\n" );
document.write( " This troll demanded payment of one-half of the apples the prince now had plus two more.<BR>\n" );
document.write( " The prince paid him and set off again.<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".5(.5a-2) - 2 = .25a-1-2 = (.25a-3) remaining<BR>\n" );
document.write( ":<BR>\n" );
document.write( " Just before leaving the enchanted orchard, a third troll stopped him and demanded one-half of his remaining apples plus two more.<BR>\n" );
document.write( " The prince paid him and sadly went home.<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".5(.25a-3) - 2 = .125a - 1.5 - 2 = (.125a-3.5) remaining<BR>\n" );
document.write( "He had only two golden apples left.<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".125a - 3.5 = 2<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".125a = 2 + 3.5<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".125a = 5.5<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = 5.5/.125<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = 44 apples picked\r<BR>\n" );
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