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 244 passengers. Find the no of passengers in the beginning?
Choices
A) 292 B) 180 C) 276 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=244   2X/3+280=2*232= 
<gadget id="calculator">2*232</gadget>
<output>464</output>
464 - 280= 
<gadget id="calculator">464 - 280</gadget>
<output>184</output>
184   2X/3=184   X=276. So the answer is option 276) 276.
<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 244 passengers. Find the no of passengers in the beginning?