James splits 4 packs of stickers that have 30 stickers each. Each sticker cost $.10. If his friend pays for half how much did James pay? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. He buys 4 * 30 = 120 stickers. That means it cost 120 * .1 = $12. So he pays 12 * .5 = $6.. The answer is: 6.

In the spelling bee, Max has 5 points, Dulce has 3 points, and Val has twice the combined points of Max and Dulce. If they are on the same team and their opponents' team has a total of 40 points, how many points are their team behind? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. Max and Dulce's total combined points are 5 + 3 = 8. So, Val got 8 x 2 = 16 points. And the total points of their team is 8 + 16 = 24. Therefore, their team is 40 - 24 = 16 points behind.. The answer is: 16.

Elyse had 100 pieces of gum. She gave half to her brother Rick. He gave half of his to his friend Shane. Shane chewed 11 pieces of gum. How many pieces does Shane have left? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. Elyse gave half of her 100 pieces of gum, or 100 / 2 = 50 pieces of gum, to Rick. Rick gave half of his 50 pieces of gum, or 50 / 2 = 25 pieces of gum, to Shane. Shane had 25 pieces of gum and chewed 11, so he had 25 – 11 = 14 pieces of gum left.. The answer is: 14.