How many eggs did the man have to start with?

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A man is walking down a road with a basket of eggs. As he
is walking he meets someone who buys one-half of his eggs
plus one-half of an egg.
He walks a little further and meets another person who buys
one-half of his eggs plus one-half of an egg.
After proceeding further he meets another person who buys
one-half of his eggs plus one half an egg. At this point he
has sold all of his eggs, and he never broke an egg.
How many eggs did the man have to start with?

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  • 2 Answer(s)

    Seven Solution; Person one buys half the eggs [3 1/2] plus 1/2 an egg, or 4 total. No eggs broken. This leaves 3 eggs. Person 2 buys half the remaining eggs [1 1/2] plus 1/2 an egg, or 2 total. Again no eggs broken. This leaves 1 egg. Person 3 comes along, and he buys half the eggs [1/2] plus 1/2 an egg, or 1 egg. No broken eggs, eggs all sold

    anikam Expert Answered on 24th August 2015.
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    Answer: 7 eggs

    Because the last person bought a 1/2 egg + 1/2 of the eggs and no eggs were left that means he bought a 1/2 egg + 1/2 egg = 1 egg.  After the 2nd person bought 1/2 egg + 1/2 off the eggs we were left with one egg so that means the 1 egg +1/2 egg is the half of what was left so 1.5 *2 = 3 eggs. So the same implies to the 1st person, so (3+1/2 ) *2 = 7 eggs

    Moshe Expert Answered on 9th January 2023.
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