To solve this problem, we can use simple arithmetic. The problem states that there were a certain number of chairs to start with. Then, 7 chairs were put away, and afterwards, there were 9 chairs left.
To figure out the total number of chairs that were there to start, we can use the following logic:
- Let's call the total number of chairs at the beginning "C".
- If we put away 7 chairs, then we subtract 7 from the total number of chairs, which can be written as C - 7.
- We are told that after these 7 chairs are put away, there are 9 chairs left. This can be written as C - 7 = 9.
To find the value of C, we need to get it alone on one side of the equation. To do that, we add 7 to both sides of the equation. Adding 7 to the left side will cancel out the -7, and adding 7 to the right side will give us the initial total number of chairs.
So now we perform the addition on both sides:
C - 7 + 7 = 9 + 7
The 7's cancel out on the left side, leaving us with:
C = 16.
Therefore, the total number of chairs that were there to start was 16.
