If (n-2)(48/n+3) - 48 = 22 then expanding brackets:-
48 - 96/n + 3n - 6 - 48 = 22 and rearranging
3n - 96/n - 28 = 0 and multiplying through by n gives
3n^2 - 28n - 96 = 0 which is the standard form of a Q.E.
Factorising to (3n + 8)(n - 12) = 0 therefore:-
n = - 8/3 or 12
Assuming n = number of mugs which cannot be a negative number then n = 12 . The equation gives the total profit made ie �22 when 12 mugs were bought and 10 sold ie(n - 2) . The second bracket gives the price paid ie. �48 for the 12 mugs at �4 each and a profit of �3 added on each ie (48/n + 3) and if the cost price of �48 is deducted this leaves a profit of �22.