number puzzle

[bobobalde111]

bob bought a bag of apples for the whole family. his mum and dad and sister lucy all received a quarter of the total number of apples plus three quarters of an apple.

this left bob only two apples so how many were in the bag

[jan1956]

17 mum, dad, lucy get 17/4 = 4 1/4 each + 3/4 of an apple = 5 each leaving bob 2

[crofter]

If bob bought N apples, then the three members of his family each get (N/4 + 3/4) apples leaving him 2 apples.

Hence we have to solve ... 3(N/4 + 3/4) + 2 = N

Multiplying through by 4 ..... 3(N + 3) + 8 = 4N

This leads to N = 17 apples (as stated above)

[oxcomper]

is this some kind of trick question, if you have divided all the apples up betweenthe family and have 2 yourself, there are none in the bag!

[crofter]

If it is a trick question, then the answer could also be the TWO apples that were left for bob!

[bobobalde111]

many thanks for answers

crofter spot on as usual with 56 last week

questions are genuine and published in a local paper each tuesday