Question

Jordan takes 50% of the cherries from a bowl. Then Mel takes 50% of the remaining cherries. Finally, Greg

takes 50% of the remaining cherries. There are 2 cherries left.
How many cherries were in the bowl before Jordan arrived?

Answer 1

24 cherries

Explanation:

Greg took the last 50% which left 3 cherries. Since he took half, that means there were 6 before he took any. Mei took 50%, also, which left the 6, so there were 12 before she picked. This was what was left after Jordan took 50%, which means they started with 24 cherries.