Problem 3 · Compare two orders using a shared starting point · 3 points
Made by AI and not reviewed by a real person.
Nina and Leo start with the same even number of stickers, at least 12: Nina gives away 6 and then half of what remains, while Leo gives away half and then 6. How many more stickers does Nina have than Leo?
- 3
- 9
- 6
- 12
- 0
Show a hint
- The starting number is a mystery, but the difference between their final piles is not. Think about when each child gives away the 6 stickers.
- Compare what each would keep if both halved their stickers first. How does Nina’s earlier giveaway change her kept half?
Show the answer and solution
Answer: A — 3
If both halved their stickers first, they would keep the same amount. Giving away 6 before halving reduces Nina’s kept half by 3, while giving away 6 after halving reduces Leo’s by 6. So Nina has 6 − 3 = 3 more stickers. The tempting answer 0 treats the two orders as if they give the same result.