+9488 Let's say it starts wih x fish.
| number of fish left after | John | leaves | _ | = 23(x−1) = 23x−23 |
| number of fish left after | Joe | leaves |
| = 23( 23x−23 −1) = 49x−109 |
| number of fish left after | _James_ | leaves |
| = 23( 49x−109 −1) = 827x−3827 |
The smallest positive integer value of x that makes 827x−3827 a positive integer is 25 .
By looking at a graph we can check this: https://www.desmos.com/calculator/mivvh3t6in
So the minimum possible number of fish before John threw out the first fish is 25 .
+9488 Let's say it starts wih x fish.
| number of fish left after | John | leaves | _ | = 23(x−1) = 23x−23 |
| number of fish left after | Joe | leaves |
| = 23( 23x−23 −1) = 49x−109 |
| number of fish left after | _James_ | leaves |
| = 23( 49x−109 −1) = 827x−3827 |
The smallest positive integer value of x that makes 827x−3827 a positive integer is 25 .
By looking at a graph we can check this: https://www.desmos.com/calculator/mivvh3t6in
So the minimum possible number of fish before John threw out the first fish is 25 .
No calc please
