Let J = Josh's distance. 2J = Selena's distance. J + 2J = 36. 3J = 36 miles. J = 12. 2J = 24 miles. Selena ran 24 miles.
The answer: 24
Reverse engineering the question: Selena and Josh were running in a race. Together they ran 36 miles. Josh ran half of the distance that Selena ran. How many miles did Selena run?


Reasoning and answer: If the lioness is 12 years old, the hyena, half her age, is 12 / 2 = 6 years old. The baby of the lioness is 12 / 2 = 6 years old, half the mother's age. Five years from now, the age of the lioness's cub will be 6 + 5 = 11. The baby of the hyena is 6 / 2 = 3 years old, which is half the mother's age. The hyena's baby will be 3 + 5 = 8 years old in five years. Together, the total age of the babies will be 8 + 11 = 19 years in five years.
The answer: 19
What was the question?
Question: The age of a lioness in a park is twice the age of a hyena in the same park. The lioness is 12 years old. If the babies of the two animals are half the age of their mothers, calculate the sum of the age of the babies in five years.


Jim runs 5 miles a day for 30 days for a total of 5 * 30 = 150 miles. The next month Jim runs 10 miles a day for 10 * 30 = 300 miles. The last month Jim runs 20 miles a day for 20 * 30 = 600 a month. All together, Jim runs 150 + 300 + 600 = 1050 miles in three months.
The answer: 1050
Reverse engineering the question: Jim decides he wants to practice for a marathon coming up. He starts off by running 5 miles every day for 30 days straight. He then pushes himself to run 10 miles a day for the next 30 days. Finally, as marathon day gets closer Jim runs 20 miles a day for 30 days straight. How many miles does Jim run in total during the 90 days?


Reasoning and answer: Sonja will spend $3 + $23 = $26. Barbara will spend 5 + ( 2 * 2) = $9. Mario and Rick will spend 2 * 3 = $6. Everyone but Sonijs spend $9 + $6 + $4 = $19. Sonija spent $26 - $19 = $7 more than the rest of the people at the party.
The answer: 7
What was the question?
Question: Five people are planning a party. Sonja will buy a loaf of French bread ($3 a loaf) and a platter of cold cuts ($23). Barbara will buy the soda ($1 per person) and two boxes of crackers ($2 per box). Mario and Rick will split the cost of two packages of Cheese Doodles ($3 per package). Danica will supply a package of paper plates for $4. How much more will Sonja spend than the rest of the office put together?


Josiah is 15 x 3 = 45 years old now. In three years, Josiah will be 45 + 3 = 48 years old. Hans will be 15 + 3 = 18 years old in three years. So, the sum of their ages in three years is 48 + 18 = 66 years old.
The answer: 66
Reverse engineering the question: Josiah is three times as old as Hans. Hans is 15 years old now. In three years, what is the sum of the ages of Josiah and Hans?


There were 90 / 3 = 30 lollipops. So, 90 - 30 = 60 are candy canes. Each boy received 3 lollipops, so there were 30 / 3 = 10 boys. Each girl received 2 candy canes, so there were 60 / 2 = 30 girls. Altogether, there were 10 + 30 = 40 boys and girls.
The answer: 40
Reverse engineering the question:

Show your work and conclude with the exact phrasing "Therefore, the final answer is [answer]." where [answer] is just the final number or expression that solves the problem.
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Angeli had 90 assorted candies. One-third of the candies were lollipops and the rest were candy canes. She then shared the lollipops equally among the boys such that each boy received 3. She then shared the candy canes equally among the girls such that each received 2. How many boys and girls were given altogether?