Maria bought seven boxes. a week later haft of all her boxes were destroyed in a fire. there are now only 22 boxes left. withh how many did she start

We will work backward to find the boxes she started with.

She had 22 in the end.

Half of the boxes were destroyed in a fire, put back the half of the boxes:

22 + 22 = 44

She bought 7 boxes, take away the 7 boxes:

44 - 7 = 37

Answer: She had 37 when she started.