Nice work, NightReader - and I'm with you that the question as written is a little unclear as to whether B and C each would have 1/4 of A or if B and C together have 1/4 of A, so I like that you plotted out both ways.
That aside, this one brings up a pretty good point about slowing down and setting up word problems step-by-step. It looks like a lot of action at first, but really what it's saying is:
A has ---> A =
18 more than ---> 18 +
what B & C would have if each had 1/4 of A ---> 1/4 A + 1/4 A
How much does A have ---> Solve for A
So if we put that back together, as NightReader says, it's:
A = 18 + 1/4 A + 1/4 A
A = 18 + 1/2 A
1/2 A = 18
A = 36
I think the tendency on these is to try to whip up an equation too quickly - if you more cautiously analyze what each phrase tells you mathematically, you set yourself up for quicker math.
Brian Galvin
GMAT Instructor
Chief Academic Officer
Veritas Prep
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