Question 276630
Maria bought seven boxes. 
A week later half of all the boxes were destroyed in a fire. 
There are now only 22 boxes left. 
How many did she start with?
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Assume she had x boxes to start with.
After buying 7 she had x+7 boxes
She lost (1/2)(x+7) in the fire.
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Equation:
x - (1/2)(x+7) = 22
x - (1/2)x - (7/2) = 22
(1/2)x - (7/2) = 22
(1/2)x = 51/2
x = 51 boxes
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Cheers,
Stan H.