The answer is: " 40 books " .
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Step-by-step explanation:
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Let "x" equal the number of books that Jill started with. Solve for "x" :
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x – (1/2)x + 16 = 36 ;
1x – (1/2)) = (1/2)x ;
(1/2)x + 16 = 36 ;
Subtract "16" from EACH SIDE of the equation:
(1/2)x + 16 – 16 = 36 – 16 ;
(1/2)x = 20 ;
Multiply each side of the equation by "2" ;
2*(1/2)x = 20 * 2 ;
to get: x = 40 .
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The answer is: " 40 books " .
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