Xuan had some caramel apples. She sold 20% of her caramel apples and gave half of the remainder to her cousin. After that, she bought 43 caramel apples and had a total of 53 caramel apples in the end. How many caramel apples did Xuan have at first?
Percentage of caramel apples that Xuan left after selling 205 of her caramel apples
= 100% - 20%
= 80%

Fraction of caramel apples that Xuan had left after giving to her cousin
= ¹₂ x 80%
= ²₅

Number of caramel apples that Xuan had left = 2 u

Number of caramel apples that Xuan had in the end = 2 u + 43

2 u + 43 = 53
2 u = 53 - 43
2 u = 10

1 u = 10 ÷ 2 = 5

Total number of caramel apples that Xuan had at first
= 5 u
= 5 x 5
= 25

Answer(s): 25