Question

Smitha had a number of cookies. after eating one, she gave half the remainder to her sister. after eating another cookie, she gave half of what was left to her brother. smitha now had only five cookies left. how many cookies did she start with

Answer 1

smita had 7cookies then she ate on thats 6 then se ate another thats 5

Answer 2

Answer: She started with the 23 cookies.

Step-by-step explanation:

Suppose she has x cookies initially,

After eating one,

The remaining cookies she has = x - 1

After giving the half of the remaining cookies to her sister,

The remaining cookies she has = (x-1) - (x-1)/2 = (x-1)/2

One less of the remaining cookies = $\frac{x-1}{2}-1=\frac{x-3}{2}$

Again, after giving half of this cookies to her brother,

The final number of remaining cookies =  $\frac{x-3}{4}$

According to the question,

$\frac{x-3}{4}=5$

$x-3=20\implies x = 23$