A train starts full of passengers at the first station it drops 1/3 of the passengers and takes 280 more at the second station it drops one half the new total and takes twelve more. On arriving at the third station it is found to have 248 passengers. Find the no of passengers in the beginning? Choose the correct choice from the following options:
A) 292  B) 180  C) 192  D) 144  E) 168
Let no of passengers in the beginning be X   After first station no passengers=(X-X/3)+280=2X/3 +280   After second station no passengers =1/2(2X/3+280)+12   1/2(2X/3+280)+12=248   2X/3+280=2*236= 
<gadget id="calculator">2*236</gadget>
<output>472</output>
472 - 280= 
<gadget id="calculator">472 - 280</gadget>
<output>192</output>
192   2X/3=192   X=288. So the answer is option 192) 192.
<result>C</result>
A train starts full of passengers at the first station it drops 1/3 of the passengers and takes 280 more at the second station it drops one half the new total and takes twelve more. On arriving at the third station it is found to have 248 passengers. Find the no of passengers in the beginning?