Ineed to write a world story problem that requires more then one operation and one unknown variable that needs calculation

Problem: Maria baked 50 cupcakes for a bake sale, 29 of the cupcakes were sold, then she baked more cupcakes and then sold 52 and had two leftover cupcakes. How many cupcakes did she bake the second time?

Solution: 50 - 29 + a - 52 = 2
50 - 29 =21...(and etc.)

Hope this helps! :)

Max has 3 times more cupcakes than Cindy who has 4 cupcakes. John has 5 more cupcakes than Max. How many cupcakes do they each have?

Cindy has 4 cupcakes.
Since Cindy has 4 cupcakes and Max has 3 times as many cupcakes as Cindy Max has 12 cupcakes.
John has 5 more cupcakes than Max. Since Max has 12 cupcakes John has 17 cupcakes.

The answer is