On Tuesday, Adam bought 3 * 15 apples = 45 apples. On Wednesday, Adam bought 4 * 45 apples = 180 apples. Adam bought 15 apples + 45 apples + 180 apples = 240 apples on the three days.
The answer: 240
Reverse engineering the question: Adam bought 15 apples on Monday. On Tuesday he bought 3 times that quantity. On Wednesday he bought 4 times the quantity he bought on Tuesday. What is the total quantity Adam bought on these three days?

The dolls will sell for 3 * $5 = $15. The clocks will bring in 2 * $15 = $30. The glasses will sell for 5 * $4 = $20. In total, she will bring in $15 + $30 + $20 = $65. Her total profit will be $65 - $40 = $25.
The answer: 25
Reverse engineering the question: Stella’s antique shop has 3 dolls, 2 clocks and 5 glasses for sale. She sells the dolls for $5 each. The clocks are priced at $15 each. The glasses are priced at $4 each. If she spent $40 to buy everything and she sells all of her merchandise, how much profit will she make?

After losing 57 legos, Nellie has 380 - 57 = 323 legos. After giving her sister 24 legos Nellie has 323 - 24 = 299 legos.
The answer: 299
Reverse engineering the question: Nellie had 380 legos, but she lost 57 of them and gave her sister 24 legos. How many legos does she have now?

15 coins collected in hour one. 35 coins collected in hour two. 35 coins collected in hour three. 50 coins collected in hour four. Before giving her coworker some coins there were 15 + 35 + 35 + 50 = 135 coins. The number of coins after given 15 to her coworker is 135 - 15 = 120.
The answer: 120
Reverse engineering the question:
Every hour Joanne has to collect the coins out of the fountain inside the mall. During the first hour, she collected 15 coins. For the next two hours, she collected 35 coins from the fountain. In the fourth hour, she collected 50 coins from the fountain but she gave 15 of them to her coworker so she could buy a soda. How many coins did she have after the fourth hour?