While three watchman were guarding an …

Ans. let the number of apples he stole = x

Case 1 : Apples given to the first watchmen = {tex}{x\over 2} + 2 = {x+4\over 2}{/tex}

Apples remained  =  {tex}x - {x+4\over 2} = {2x-x-4\over 2} = {x-4\over 2}{/tex}

Case 1 :  Apples given to the second watchmen = {tex}{{x-4\over 2}\over 2} + 2 = {x-4\over 4} +2 {/tex}

{tex}= {x-4 + 8\over 4} = {x+4\over 4}{/tex}

Apples remained = {tex}{x-4\over 2} - {x+4\over 4} = {2x-8-x-4\over 4} = {x-12\over 4}{/tex}

Case 1 :  Apples given to third watchmen = {tex}{{x-12\over 4}\over 2} + 2 = {x-12\over 8}+2 {/tex}

{tex}= {x-12+16\over 8} = {x+4\over 8}{/tex}

 Apples Remained = {tex}{x-12\over 4} -{x+4\over 8} = {2x-24-x-4\over 8} = {x-28\over 8}{/tex}

According to question :
{tex}{x-28\over 8} = 1 {/tex}

=> x - 28 = 8 

=> x = 8+28

=> x = 36

So No of Apples he stole = 36