Q: In this task, you need to answer the given multiple-choice question on the general math. Classify your answers into 'a', 'b', 'c', 'd', and 'e'.
Problem: 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 .
Options: a ) 240 , b ) 248 , c ) 280 , d ) 288 , e ) 290
A:
d