Three raids on the flock

Raiders took 13\tfrac13 of a flock of sheep plus 13\tfrac13 of a sheep. A second party took 14\tfrac14 of what remained plus 14\tfrac14 of a sheep. A third took 15\tfrac15 of the new remainder plus 35\tfrac35 of a sheep, leaving 409409 sheep. How many sheep were there originally? (No sheep were actually cut.)

Show hints (2)+
  1. Work backwards from 409409. Third raid: 45R2−35=409\tfrac45 R_2 - \tfrac35 = 409.
  2. Chain it: 409→512→683→1025409\to512\to683\to1025.

Answer

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1025

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