Question. Sam, Sid, and Steve brought popsicle sticks for their group activity in their Art class. Sam has thrice as many as Sid, and Sid has twice as many as Steve. If Steve has 12 popsicle sticks, how many popsicle sticks can they use for their Art class activity?
Answer. 108
What step-by-step reasoning justifies that answer?
Reasoning: Sid has 12 x 2 = 24 sticks. Sam has 24 x 3 = 72 sticks. Thus, they have 24 + 72 + 12 = 108 popsicle sticks.