Final answer:
To solve this problem, we can set up an equation to represent the given information. However, the given information may contain an error or inconsistency, making it impossible to determine the exact number of bus tokens Meg had at the start.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let's start by setting up the equation to solve for the original number of bus tokens, which we'll call 'x'.
According to the problem, Meg used (1/4) of her bus tokens, and then lost (3/4) of the rest. After that, she was left with only 3 tokens. We can write this as an equation: (1/4)x - (3/4)((3/4)x) = 3.
To solve this equation, we can simplify the expression on the right side: (1/4)x - (9/16)x = 3. Combining like terms, we get (1/4 - 9/16)x = 3. To remove the fractions, we can multiply both sides of the equation by the least common multiple (LCM) of 4 and 16, which is 16: 16(1/4 - 9/16)x = 16(3).
Simplifying the left side, we have 4x - 9x = 48. Combining like terms, we get -5x = 48. Dividing both sides by -5, we find x = -48/5 = -9.6.
Since the number of bus tokens cannot be negative, we can conclude that Meg had -9.6 tokens at the start. However, this does not make sense in the context of the problem. Therefore, there may be an error or inconsistency in the given information, and we cannot determine the exact number of bus tokens Meg had at the start.