Question 1205923
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Jack has some magnets. He gives Kevin half his magnets plus 1 magnet 
and gives bob half of his remaining magnets plus 2 magnets. 
If Jack has 6 magnets left how many did he have at first.
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<pre>
I will write a table showing each Jack's step separately.


    1)  Jack gives Kevin half his magnets.

    2)  Jack gives Kevin 1 additional magnet.

    3)  Jack gives Bob half remaining magnets.

    4)  Jack gives Bob 2 additional magnet.

    5)  At the end Jack has 6 magnets left.


Now move backward, from the end to the beginning.


From the table, you conclude that immediately before step 4 Jack had 6+2 = 8 magnets.

Hence, immediately before step 3) Jack had 8*2 = 16 magnets.

Hence, immediately before step 2) Jack had 16+1 = 17 magnets.

Hence, before step 1) Jack had 2*17 = 34 magnets.



Thus the problem is just solved, and the answer is

    +------------------------------------+
    |    At first, Jack had 34 magnets.  |
    +------------------------------------+

</pre>

Solved.


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Thus, I solved the problem MENTALLY.


The method, which I used, is called the BACKWARD METHOD.



Good for young student to wake up their minds and make them smile.


Also good for all other ages readers - for the same purpose.