Question 1207243
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This kind of problem is often solved more easily by working backwards, as described below.<br>
C got $1400.<br>
Just before that, B took $850; so before B took $850 the amount was $1400+$850 = $2250.<br>
Just before that, B took 1/4 of the money; that means the $2250 was 3/4 of the money that there was before.  So the amount of money before B took 1/4 of it was $2250*(4/3) = $3000.<br>
Just before that, A took $1500; so before A did that the amount was $3000+$1500 = $4500.<br>
And just before that, A took 1/2 of the initial amount; that means the $4500 left after he took 1/2 of the money was also 1/2 of the money.  So the initial amount of money was $4500*(2/1) = $9000.<br>
ANSWER: $9000<br>
CHECK:
$9000 minus 1/2 of $9000 = $9000-$4500 = $4500
$4500-$1500 = $3000
$3000 - 1/4 of $3000 = $3000-$750 = $2250
$2250-$850 = $1400<br>