Question 372344
one fourth of the birds flew away when they were startled by a noise.
 Two birds left the feeder to go to another stationed a few feet away.
 Three more birds flew into the branches of a nearby tree.
 Four birds remained at the feeder. 
How many birds were at the feeder initially?
:
:
Step-by-step
Let x = no. of birds initially
:
.75x; "one fourth of the birds flew away "
:
.75x - 2; "two birds left"
:
.75x - 2 - 3; "three birds flew to a tree"
:
.75x - 5 = 4; "four birds remain"
solve for x
.75x = 4 + 5
.75x = 9
x = {{{9/.75}}}
x = 12 birds initially