<PRE><B>Question 164274</B>
A noise startles the birds and 1/4 of the birds fly away. Of the birds remaining 2 fly to a nearby feeder. 3 fly to a nearby tree. 4 remain at the feeder. How many birds were at the feeder before the noise startled them?
:
Let x = original number of birds
:
{{{1/4}}}x + 2 + 3 + 4 = x
Multiply 4 to get rid of the fraction:
x + 8 + 12 + 16 = 4x
36 = 4x - x
x = {{{36/3}}}
x = 12 birds
:
Check in original equation:
{{{1/4}}}(12) + 2 + 3 + 4 = 12
3 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 12</PRE>