A farmer grows some tomato plants. Three of the plants die, and each of the rest plants grow 12 tomatoes. if the farmer picks 48 tomatoes, how many plants did he start with?

Answer 1

Let x be the number of plants the farmer started with.
The number of plants that remain is x - 3.
The total number of tomatoes that grow is (x - 3) × 12.
Since the farmer picks 48 tomatoes, (x - 3) × 12 = 48.
Thus, x - 3 = 48 / 12 = 4.
Therefore, the farmer started with x = 4 + 3 = <<4+3=7>>7 plants. Answer: \boxed{7}.