Question: Jess made 3 different stacks of wooden blocks. The first stack was 7 blocks high, the second stack was 5 block(s) higher than the first, and the final stack was 7 block(s) higher than the second. Jess’ little sister knocked over the entire first tower, in the second tower she left 2 blocks standing, and in the final tower she left 3 blocks standing. How many blocks in total fell down?
Answer with step-by-step thinking: Jess’ second stack was 7 blocks + 5 blocks = 12 blocks. Jess’ third stack was 12 blocks + 7 blocks = 19 blocks high. Jess’ sister knocked down the second tower and knocked 12 blocks – 2 = 10 blocks knocked over. Jess’ sister knocked down the final tower and knocked 19 blocks – 3 = 16 blocks knocked over. Total blocks knocked over was 7 blocks + 10 + 16 = 33 blocks.
So the answer is 33.


Question: Betty picked 16 strawberries. Matthew picked 20 more strawberries than Betty and twice as many as Natalie. They used their strawberries to make jam. One jar of jam used 7 strawberries and they sold each jar at $4. How much money were they able to make from the strawberries they picked?
Answer with step-by-step thinking: Matthew picked 16 + 20 = 36 strawberries. Natalie picked 36 / 2 = 18 strawberries. All together, they have 16 + 36 + 18 = 70 strawberries. They can make 70 / 7 = 10 jars of strawberries. They earn 10 x $4 = $40 from the strawberries they picked.
So the answer is 40.


Question: Billy can spit a watermelon seed 30 inches. Madison can spit a watermelon seed 20% farther than Billy. Ryan can spit a watermelon seed 50% shorter than Madison. How far can Ryan spit a watermelon seed?
Answer with step-by-step thinking:
Madison can spit a seed 20% farther than Billy's 30 inches so that's .20 * 30 = 6 inches farther. Billy spits a seed 30 inches and Madison can spit 6 inches farther for a total of 30 + 6 = 36 inches. Ryan can spit a seed 50% shorter than Madison's 36 inches for a total of .50 * 36 = 18 inches.
So the answer is 18.