Question 281711
Let {{{x}}} = number of apples starting out
{{{x - (1/3)*x = (2/3)*x}}} remaining
{{{(2/3)*x - (1/3)*(2/3)*x = (6/9)*x - (2/9)*x}}}
{{{(6/9)*x - (2/9)*x = (4/9)*x}}} remaining
{{{(4/9)*x - (1/3)*(4/9)*x = (12/27)*x - (4/27)*x}}}
{{{(8/27)*x = 8}}} remaining
{{{x = 27}}}
There were 27 apples to start with