John has to restring 3 basses with 4 strings each, twice as many guitars which have 6 strings each, and 3 fewer 8 string guitars than the normal guitars. How many strings does he need?
Reason slowly and give your answer.
72
The basses take 3 * 4 = 12 strings.

He restrings 2 * 3 = 6 normal guitars.

That takes 6 * 6 = 36 strings.

He restrings 6 - 3 = 3 guitars with 8 strings.

So that uses 3 * 8 = 24 strings.

So he uses 12 + 36 + 24 = 72 strings.

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The final answer: 72