Question

Jill sold half of her comic books and then bought sixteen more. She now has 36. With how many did she begin with?

Answer 1

Is it asking how many she began with before she sold them? If so, then I think at the beginning she started out with 40. I think she had 40 because she sold half, and when you divide 40 by 2 it divides perfectly giving you 20. Then add 16 to that and you come out with 36. 

Answer 2

x= comic books 1/2 x+16=32 multiply by 2 to eliminate the fraction x+ 32=72 subtract 32 from both sides x= 40 Jill began with 40 books hope this helps