Question

URGENT STAMPS Zoe added 23 tamps to her

collection., Three months later her
collection had tripled in number to a
total of 159 stamps. How many stamps
did Zoe have to start her collection?

Answer 1

30

Explanation:

x = original number of stamps

x+23 (added 23 stamps to the collection)

3(x+23) tripled in number

3(x+23) = 159

Divide each side by 3

3(x+23)/3 = 159/3

x+23=53

Subtract 23 from each side

x+23-23 = 53-23

x = 30