Question 133232
GOOD!!!!!   YOU GAVE IT A SHOT
WHEN THE GUARD GIVES, YOU NEED TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT HE HAS LEFT.
OK  I FIND IT EASIER TO WORK THESE WORD PROBLEMS IF I CLEARLY LAY OUT WHAT THE UNKNOWNS REPRESENT, SO:

Let x= the number of plants originally stolen

The thief gives (x/2)+2 plants to the first guard
Thief then has x-((x/2)+2) or 2x/2-(x/2)-2 =(x/2)-2 plants left
Thief gives 1/2((x/2-2)+2) or (x/4)-1+2=(x/4)+1 to second guard

Thief then has ((x/2)-2)-((x/4)+1) or (x/2)-2-(x/4)-1=(x/4)-3 plants left

Thief gives 1/2((x/4)-3)+2 or (x/8)-(3/2)+2=(x/8)+1/2 to third guard
Thief has left ((x/4)-3)-((x/8)+1/2) and we are told that this equals 1, so:

(x/4)-3-(x/8)-1/2=1  multiply each term by 8

2x-24-x-4=8 simplify
x-28=8  add 28 to both sides

x-28+28=8+28
x=36-----------------number of pLAnts originally stolen

Ck
First guard
Gives 1/2(36)+2=18+2=20
Has left 36-20=16
Second guard
Gives 1/2(16)+2=10
Has left 16-10=6

Third guard
Gives 1/2(6)+2=5
Has left 6-5=1 


Hope this helps----ptaylor