Math problem: sean took 1/3 of the candies in a bowl, but returned 4. franny took 1/4 of what was left but returned 3. eugene took half of the remainder but threw two back. the bowl had 17 candies left. how many candies originally in the bowl?

After sean took some and put some back, there wer 2/3x+4 where x=number of candies originally

franny took 1/4 of what was left or 1/4 of (2/3x+4) or 2/12x+1 or 1/6x+1

then returned 3

1/6x+4

eugene took 1/2 of the remainder

1/2 of (1/6x+4) is 1/12x+2

then put 2 back

1/12x+4

had 17 left

1/12x+4=17

minus 4 both sides

1/12x=13

multiply both sides by 12/1

x=156

there were 156 candies originally in the bowl