During the Mardi Gras parade, Latch caught four less than three times as many necklaces as did Rhonda. If Rhonda caught half as many necklaces as did Boudreaux, and Boudreaux caught twelve necklaces, how many necklaces did Latch catch? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. Rhonda caught half as many necklaces as did Boudreaux, or 12 / 2 = 6 necklaces. Three times as many necklaces as Rhonda caught is 6 * 3 = 18 necklaces. Thus, Latch caught four less than three times as many necklaces as did Rhonda, for a total of 18 - 4 = 14 necklaces.. The answer is: 14.

At the family reunion, everyone ate too much food and gained weight. Orlando gained 5 pounds. Jose gained two pounds more than twice what Orlando gained. Fernando gained 3 pounds less than half of what Jose gained. How much weight, in pounds, did the three family members gain at their reunion? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. Twice what Orlando gained is 2 * 5 = 10 pounds. Jose gained two pounds more than twice what Orlando gained for a total of 2 + 10 = 12 pounds.. Half of what Jose gained is 12 / 2 = 6 pounds. Fernando gained 3 pounds less than half of what Jose gained, for a total of 6 - 3 = 3 pounds. In total, the three family members gained 5 + 12 + 3 = 20 pounds at the reunion.. The answer is: 20.

Susan loves chairs. In her house there are red chairs, yellow chairs, and blue chairs. There are 5 red chairs. There are 4 times as many yellow chairs as red chairs, and there are 2 fewer blue chairs than yellow chairs. How many chairs are there in Susan's house? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. The number of yellow chairs is 5 chairs 4 = 20 chairs. The number of blue chairs is 20 chairs 2 chairs = 18 chairs. There are 5 chairs + 20 chairs + 18 chairs = 43 chairs in Susan's house.. The answer is: 43.