First find the total amount of space the cans take up before being compacted: 60 cans * 30 sq in / can = 1800 sq in. Then multiply that amount by the percentage of space they take up after being compacted: 1800 sq in * 20% = 360 sq in.
The answer: 360
Reverse engineering the question: Nick has 60 cans. Each can takes up 30 square inches of space before being compacted and 20% of that amount after being compacted. How much space do all the cans take up after being compacted?


Reasoning and answer: In five years Drew will be 12 + 5 = 17 years old. In five years Sam will be 3(17) = 51 years old. Sam is currently 51 - 5 = 46 years old.
The answer: 46
What was the question?
Question: In five years Sam will be 3 times as old as Drew. If Drew is currently 12 years old, how old is Sam?


Lindsey saved $50 + $37 + $11 = $98. $98 is greater than $75, so Lindsey is given an addition $25 + her original $98 = $123. Lindsey had $123 - $87 video game = $36 remaining.
The answer: 36
Reverse engineering the question: Lindsey saved $50 in September, she saved $37 in October, and $11 in November. Lindsey's mom said that since Lindsey had saved more than $75, she would give Lindsey $25. Then Lindsey spent $87 on a video game. How much money did Lindsey have left?


Reasoning and answer: Tommy's area is 5 blocks wide because 3 + 2 = 5. His area is 4 blocks tall because 2 + 2 = 4. The total area is 20 square blocks because 5 x 4 = 20. His friend's area is 4 times bigger because 80 / 20 = 4.
The answer: 4
What was the question?
Question: Tommy's mother lets him ride his bike 2 blocks north of his block, 3 blocks east, 2 blocks west, and 2 blocks south. His friend's father lets his friend ride his bike 80 square blocks. How many times greater is the area his friend can ride in compared to Tommy?


After the charity ticket purchase on Saturday morning, Renata remained with 10 - 4 = 6 dollars. Adding the prize money give her 6 + 90 = 96 dollars. At the casino, she lost 50 + 10 + 5 = 65 dollars. Thus far, Renata remained with 96 - 65 = 31 dollars. The amount she spent on the bottle of water and lottery ticket is 1 + 1 = 2 dollars. This means that she remained with 31 - 2 = 29 dollars. Since she won 65 dollars, Renata’s ended up having 29 + 65 = 94 dollars.
The answer: 94
Reverse engineering the question: On Saturday morning, Renata had $10 to spend. She first went and made a $4 donation in exchange for a ticket to the local charity draw. When the draw was done, she was declared the winner of the 5th prize of $90. Excited, she quickly dashed to play slots at one of the casinos in Atlantic City. Unfortunately, she lost $50 at the first slot machine, $10 at the second and $5 at the last one. Dejected, she decided to take a long walk. She soon grew thirsty and entered the first gas station she saw. She picked a $1 bottle of water and while paying for it, she bought a $1 lottery ticket. To her utter delight, she won an instant prize of $65. How much money did Renata end up having?


The kids collected 29 + 17 + 8 = 54 shells. If they distribute the shells evenly between 2 friends, 54 / 2 = 27 shells for each friend.
The answer: 27
Reverse engineering the question:
Jillian, Savannah, and Clayton were collecting shells on the beach. Jillian collected 29, Savannah collected 17, and Clayton collected 8. They decided that they wanted to give the shells to two of their friends who had just arrived. They put their shells together and distributed them evenly to each friend. How many shells did each friend get?