$ABCD$ is a square of side $5\text{ cm}$. Points $B,C,E$ are collinear and $CE=a$. The shaded region $y$ is $5\text{ cm}^2$ larger than shaded region $x$. Find $a$.
Emma’s wallet is stolen. Adam says, “Ben stole it”; Ben says, “Not me”; Charles says, “It wasn’t me.” Only one person tells the truth. Who stole the wallet?
A school rents boats for $48$ students. A small boat fits $3$ and costs $4$ dollars; a big boat fits $5$ and costs $6$ dollars. Find the minimum rental cost.
First, two more than half the apples in a basket are removed. Then two less than half the remaining apples are removed. Finally $20$ remain. How many were there initially?