If there were 200 students who passed an English course three years ago, and each subsequent year until the current one that number increased by 50% of the previous year's number, how many students will pass the course this year? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. We begin 3 years ago with 200 students, and moving forward to two years ago we find there were 200 * 1.5 = 300 students who passed. At the end of the subsequent year 50% more students pass than last year's 300, so that means 300 * 1.5 = 450 students pass. At the end of the current year there's another 50% increase over the previous year, meaning we have 450 * 1.5 = 675 students pass.. The answer is: 675.

If Lyn donates $240 to a private organization each year where 1/3 of it goes to the community pantry project, 1/2 goes to the local crisis fund, 1/4 of the remaining goes to livelihood project funds, and the rest is for contingency funds. How much goes to contingency fund? Give the rationale and then the answer.
Let's think step by step. The community pantry project gets 240 x 1 / 3 = $80. The local crisis fund has 240 x 1 / 2 = $120. The total funds allocated for the two funds is $80 + $120 = $200. So, $240 - $200 = $40 are left for the other 2 funds. The livelihood project gets $40 x 1 / 4 = $10. This means that the contingency fund is $40 - $10 = $30.. The answer is: 30.

Emily has 7 times as many oranges as Sandra. Sandra has 3 times as many oranges as Betty. If Betty has 12 oranges, how many oranges does Emily have? Give the rationale and then the answer.

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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Let's think step by step. Sandra has 3 * 12 = 36 oranges. So, Emily has 7 * 36 = 252 oranges.. The answer is: 252.