Question

Harold found a puzzle with many pieces. He asked Carmen and Emma to help him solve the puzzle. He gave Carmen half his pieces. Harold then gave Emma two-thirds of the pieces he had left after giving pieces to Carmen. Now, Harold has 12 pieces left over to help in solving the puzzle.

How many pieces are in the whole puzzle?

Answer 1

72 pieces

Explanation:

Basically split it up into

(1/6)+(1/6)+(1/6)+(1/6)+(1/6)+(1/6)

Ok so the bolded ones go to Carmen

(1/6)+(1/6)+(1/6)+(1/6)+(1/6)+(1/6)

so we are left with

(1/6)+(1/6)+(1/6)

the italics go to Emma

(1/6)+(1/6)+(1/6)

so now Harold only has 1/6 of the puzzle pieces which is 12 pieces.

Multiply 6 by 12 and you get 72

(Also Harold seems rude, giving so much work to his friends when its HIS puzzle) i swear you cant trust no one these days hmph