Question

Miss Jessica went to the supermarket with a sum of money. She spent 1/2 of her money plus $12 on a cake. She then spent 1/2 of the remaining money plus $7 on drinks. Finally, she spent 1/2 of what was left plus $3.50 on fruits and was left with $6.20. How much money did she spend on drinks? How much money did she have at first?

Answer 1

start with x
spent x/2 + 12, leaving x/2 - 12
spent (x/2 - 12)/2 + 7 = x/4 + 1, leaving x/4 - 13
spent (x/4 - 13)/2 + 7/2 = x/8 - 3, leaving x/8 - 10
so, x/8 - 10 = 6.20
x = 129.60
check:
spent 76.80 on cake, leaving 52.80
spent 33.40 on drinks, leaving 19.40
spent 13.20 on fruit, leaving 6.20