Trisha needed to buy some groceries for herself and her dog. She spent $17 on meat, $22 on chicken, $43 on all the veggies, $5 on the eggs, and finally $45 on her dog’s food. When she left the store, she had only $35 left. How much money did she bring with her at the beginning? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. The total amount of money she spent is $17 + $22 + $43 + $5 + $45 = $132. Add this to the amount she had left over to find the amount of money she brought at the beginning: $132 + $35 = $167.. The answer is: 167.

Ben took his family fishing yesterday. Ben caught 4 fish, his wife Judy caught 1 fish, his oldest son Billy caught 3, his younger son Jim caught 2, and his youngest child Susie surprised them all by catching 5! Unfortunately, 3 of the fish were too small, so they threw them back. If each fish will give them 2 filets, how many fish filets will Ben and his family have? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. Ben's family caught 4 + 1 + 3 + 2 + 5 = 15 fish. They kept 15 - 3 = 12 fish. They'll get 2 filets per fish, so they will have 12 fish * 2 filets per fish = 24 filets.. The answer is: 24.

William read 6 books last month and Brad read thrice as many books as William did. This month, in an effort to catch up, Williams read twice as much as Brad, who read 8 books. Who has read more across the two months, and by how much? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. Last month Brad read thrice 6 books for a total of 3 * 6 = 18 books. This month Williams read twice 8 books for a total of 2 * 8 = 16 books. Across the 2 months Brad has read 18 + 8 = 26 books. Across the 2 months William has read 6 + 16 = 22 books. Brad has read 26 - 22 = 4 more books.. The answer is: 4.