Tom went to a store and spent 1/3 of his money. He went to a second store where he spent 1/3 of what remained and then had 12$ when he left. How much money did he start with?
Tom must have had 27 dollars to start with. 27 divided by three is 9.( We divide by three because he spent 1/3 of his original money) 27-9 is 18. 18/3 is 6. 18-6=12. So the answer 27 would fit.