The Working Backwards Heuristic

The Working Backwards heuristic is a problem-solving strategy usually used to solve Mathematics questions that involve a series of related events.
To apply this heuristic, one needs to use the number given at the end state of the problem situation and follow the sequence of events from the last event to the first event to arrive at the initial state.

How do we identify questions that need working backwards?
1) In the question, the number of people or objects at first is unknown.
2) A series of events take place.
3) The final number is given at the end of the question situation.
4) The question requires to find the beginning number.

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