## 21. At the Races

One fine spring evening I went to the Longchamp racecourse. I bet on the first horse and doubled the amount of money I had with me. Inspired by this example, I bet 60 francs on the second horse and lost it all. However, thanks to the third horse, I was able to double my remaining cash again. However, on the fourth horse, I lost another 60 francs. The fifth horse gave me the opportunity to double my remaining amount once more. But the sixth horse, on which I also bet 60 francs, proved to be my undoing - after this race, I was left with nothing of my initial sum.

How much money did I bring to the racecourse?
21. After the race in which the sixth horse participated, I had no money left at all. After the race with the participation of the fifth horse, I had 60 francs more, i.e., I had a total of 60 francs. After the race with the participation of the fourth horse, I had half as much money, i.e., 30 francs. After the race with the participation of the third horse, I had 60 francs more, i.e., 90 francs. After the race with the participation of the second horse, I had half as much, i.e., I had 45 francs. After the first race, I had 60 francs more, i.e., 105 francs. Half of this amount was brought to me by the win; so before the first bet, I had 52.5 francs.

Thus, I came to the Longchamp racecourse with 52 francs 50 centimes.