Question 627694
Let x = amount that mice ate (in pounds)


They started with a 20 lb bag, the mice ate x pounds, so they now have 20 - x pounds left.


The greens then bought an 8 lb bag. So they add +8 to 20-x to get (20-x)+8 = 20-x+8 = 28 - x


So they now have 28-x pounds of seed.


But, we're told that "They now have 24 pounds of seed", so...


28 - x = 24


28 - x + x = 24 + x


28 = 24 + x


28 - 24 = 24 + x - 24


4 = x


x = 4


So the mice ate <font color="red">4 pounds</font> of bird seed.



Check: 


They started with 20 pounds


The mice eat  <font color="red">4 pounds</font>, so they're left with 20-4 = 16 pounds


Then they buy an 8 pound bag which leaves them with 16+8 = 24 pounds


So the answer is verified.


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