Kimberly loves gumballs and will trade almost anything she owns for them. A friend knows that Kim has a bunch of shiny new earrings that she loves. She agrees to give Kim 9 gumballs for each pair of earrings. On the first day, Kim brings her 3 pairs of earrings. On the second she brings her twice as many. On the third day, she brings 1 less than she brought on the second day. If Kim eats 3 gumballs a day, how many days will the gumballs last?
On day 2 Kim trades 6 earrings because 3 x 2 = <<6=6>>6
On day 3 Kim trades 5 earrings because 6 - 1 = <<6-1=5>>5
In total she trades 14 pairs of earrings because 3 + 6 + 5 = <<3+6+5=14>>14
She trades these for 126 gum-balls because 14 x 9 = <<14*9=126>>126
These last her 42 days because 126 / 3 = <<126/3=42>>42
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