Question 1163025
He had two left. 
He had eight before the third troll (gave half + 2 more).
he had 20 before the second troll
He had 44 before the first troll.

start with 8x+16 apples, so can easily divide by 2
gives away 4x+8+2 and now has 4x+6 apples
gives away 2x+3+2 and now has 2x+1 apples
gives away x+0.5+2 and now has x-1.5 apples=2
therefore 2x-3=4
2x=7 apples
8x=28 apples
8x+16=44 apples.