A train starts full of passengers. At the first station, it drops one-third of the passengers and takes 280 more. At the second station, it drops one-half of the new total and takes 12 more. On arriving at the third station, it is found to have 248 passengers. Find the number of passengers in the beginning.

(a) 240 (b) 248 (c) 280 (d) 288

• ans is d)288
  let total no. of passenger is x
  at first station it drops 1/3th of the passenger
  that is (x-x/3) passenger left and takes 280 more passenger.
  now the total no. of passenger is (2x/3)+280==>(2x+840)/3
  at second station it drops half of the passenger,
  that is (2x/840)/(3*2)==>(x+420)/3
  and takes 12 more passenger.
  now the current total is ((x+420)/3)+12==>(x+456)/3
  at third station the total number of passenger is 248
  that is (x+456)/3=248
  x+456=744
  x=288
• 14 years agoHelpfull: Yes(7) No(0)
• let x be the initial no. of passengers
  form an equation using the question
  first station x-x/3+280
  second station y-y/2+12
  third station total is 248
  equate and solve
  x-x/3+280 = y-y/2+12 = 248
  now
  y-y/2+12 = 248 so y = 472
  x-x/3+280 = 472 so x = 288
  the answer is 288
  
  
• 14 years agoHelpfull: Yes(2) No(0)
• ans is 288
  (x/3+12)/2=248
  then solve for x
• 14 years agoHelpfull: Yes(2) No(3)
• 288
• 14 years agoHelpfull: Yes(0) No(0)