A fruit vendor had a basket of oranges. A customer approached him and purchased one half of the oranges plus half an orange. A second customer came and purchased one half of what he had left plus half an orange. A third customer bought one half of what was left plus half an orange, leaving the vendor’s basket empty.
He did not cut or break any orange.
How many did he have when he started?
Answer
He started with 7 oranges. Half of 7 + 1/2 an orange = 4, leaving the man with 3 oranges. Half of 3 + 1/2 an orange = 2, leaving the man with one orange. Half of 1 + 1/2 an orange = 1, leaving the man with no more oranges.
