Four thieves went to the museum to stole the diamonds first thief stole half of them and while going he took another two and left. Second, third and fourth did the same and there was zero diamonds at the end. How many diamonds initially at the beginning?

• Ans. 60 diamonds at the beginning.
  
  Solution.
  We will move back to solve the problem.
  When fourth thief stole half of the diamonds and other 2 diamonds nothing left, it means half was 2 i.e at that time there were 4 diamonds
  
  When third thief stole half of the diamonds and other 2 diamonds then there were 12 (4*2+4) diamonds.
  
  When second thief stole half of the diamonds and other 2 diamonds then there were 28 (12*2+4) diamonds.
  
  When first thief stole half of the diamonds and other 2 diamonds then there were 60 (28*2+4) diamonds.
  
  So initially there were 60 diamonds in the beginning.
• 12 years agoHelpfull: Yes(4) No(0)
• Initially there were 60 diamonds .
  first took 32 diamonds and 28 are left.
  others took 16,8,4 respectively such that no diamond is left.
• 12 years agoHelpfull: Yes(3) No(1)