Question 183931
A man is carrying rice on a journey. He passes through three custom stations.
 At the first he gives 1/3 of his rice; at the second he is allowed to keep 1/3
 of what is left; and at the third, he gives up 1/4 of what remains. 
After passing through all three custom stations, he has 6 pounds less than he
 started with. How much rice did he have when he started?
;
Let x = amt started with
;
"the first he gives 1/3 of his rice;"
the leaves him with {{{2/3}}}x
:
"at the second he is allowed to keep 1/3 of what is left;"
{{{1/3}}} * {{{2/3}}}x = {{{2/9}}}x left
:
"at the third, he gives up 1/4 of what remains. (that means he kept 3/4)
{{{3/4}}} * {{{2/9}}}x = x - 6 (he ended up with 6 lb less than when he started)
{{{6/36}}}x = x - 6
{{{1/6}}}x = x - 6
Multiply equation by 6
x = 6x - 36
x - 6x = -36
-5x = -36
x = {{{(-36)/(-5)}}}
x = 7.2 lbs