Originally, there were x mangoes in the bowl.

1. We denote x as the initial number of mangoes in the bowl.

a. Let x=initial number of mangoes

A. 1/6 of the mangoes were taken by the king.

 Let (1/6)x=mangoes taken by the king
To know the number of mangoes left after the king took some of it, subtract:
1
x- x= mangoes left after the king took some
6
1 5
x-( x) = 𝑥
6 6
5
𝑥 = mangoes left after the king took some
6

1
B. Since the queen took of what was left, we note this equation:
5
1 5
( 𝑥) = mangoes taken by the queen
5 6
 To simplify, cancel the factors in the numerator and denominator since they will equate to 1.
1 5 1
 ( 𝑥) = x
5 6 6
1
 Now, we denote x = mangoes taken by the queen
6
To determine the number of mangoes left after the queen took some, subtract:
5 1
𝑥 - x= mangoes left after the queen took some
6 6
5 1 4 2
𝑥 - x = x [or x (simplified form)]
6 6 6 3
4
x = mangoes left after the queen took some
6
1
C. The 1st prince took of the mangoes left. We note this equation:
4
1 4
( 𝑥) = mangoes taken by the queen
4 6
 To simplify, cancel the factors in the numerator and denominator since they will equate to 1.
1 4 1
 ( 𝑥) = x
4 6 6
1
 Now, we denote x = mangoes taken by the 1st prince
6
To determine the number of mangoes left after the queen took some, subtract:
4 1
𝑥 - x = mangoes left after the 1st prince took some
6 6
4 1 3 1
𝑥 - x = x [or x (simplified form)]
6 6 6 2
3
x = mangoes left after the 1st prince took some
6
1
D. The 2nd prince took of the mangoes left after the 1st prince. We note this equation:
3
 1 3
( 𝑥) = mangoes taken by the queen
3 6
 To simplify, cancel the factors in the numerator and denominator since they will equate to 1.
1 3 1
 ( 𝑥) = x
3 6 6
1
 Now, we denote x = mangoes taken by the 2nd prince
6
To determine the number of mangoes left after the 1st prince took some, subtract:
3 1
𝑥 - x = mangoes left after the 1st prince took some
6 6
3 1 2 1
𝑥 - x = x [or x (simplified form)]
6 6 6 3
2
x = mangoes left after the 1st prince took some
6
1
E. Lastly, the 3rd prince took of the mangoes left after the 2nd prince. We note this equation:
2
1 2
( 𝑥) = mangoes taken by the queen
2 6
 To simplify, cancel the factors in the numerator and denominator since they will equate to 1.
1 2 1
 ( 𝑥) = x
2 6 6
1
 Now, we denote x = mangoes taken by the 3rd prince
6
To determine the number of mangoes left after the 2nd prince took some, subtract:
2 1
𝑥 - x = mangoes left after the 2nd prince took some
6 6
2 1 1
𝑥- x= x
6 6 6
1 rd
x = mangoes left after the 3 prince took some, leaving them to the servants
6

Now, we look back at the problem; it was stated that there are only 3 mangoes left for the servants. Based
1
from our derived final equation, we equate x = 3 mangoes.
6
 To find the value of x, multiply the denominator (6) to the number of mangoes (3).
1
o x = 3 mangoes.
6

Now we are left with x = 18 mangoes.

Therefore, initially there were 18 mangoes in the bowl before the royal family took some.