Question 1120494
Let {{{ x }}}  = number originally stolen
After 1st guard, he has
{{{ x - x/2 - 2 }}}
After 2nd guard, he has
{{{ x/2 - 2 - x/4 + 1 - 2 }}}
After the 3rd guard he has
{{{ x/4 - 3 - x/8 + 3/2 - 2 }}}
And
{{{ x/8 - 7/2 = 15 }}}
{{{ x/8 = 7/2 + 30/2}}}
{{{ x/8 = 37/2 }}}
{{{ x = 4*37 }}}
{{{ x = 148 }}}
He stole 148 plants
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Check
{{{ 148 - 74 - 2 = 72 }}}
{{{ 72 - 36 - 2 = 34 }}}
{{{ 34 - 17 - 2 = 15 }}}
OK