Question 95439
let x=berries picked


one bear sampled a berry and then ate 1/2 of what was left ... (x-1)(1/2)


another bear sampled a berry and then ate 1/2 of what was left ... ((x-1)(1/2)-1)(1/2)


maria took the bucket and saw only twelve berries left ... =12


((x-1)(1/2)-1)(1/2)=12 ... ((x-1)(1/2)-1)=24 ... (x-1)(1/2)=25 ... x-1=50 ... x=51