A train starts full of passengers. At the first station, it drops one-third of the passengers and takes 280 more. At the second station, it drops one-half of the new total and takes 12 more. On arriving at the third station, it is found to have 248 passengers. Find the number of passengers in the beginning.
Choose the correct option:
A) 240
B) 248
C) 280
D) 288
E) 290

Rationale: let x be no . of passengers at beginning at , 1 st station is drops 1 / 3 rd so remaining 2 / 3 rd are in train only plus 280 i . e . , 2 x / 3 + 280 at 2 nd stop 1 / 2 of new total and 12 more i . e . , ( 2 x / 3 + 280 ) / 2 + 12 = 248 on solving above equation we get x as 288 answer : d
Answer: D