Find the mistake in the below maths equations

A = 2
A(A-1) = 2(A-1)
A2-A = 2A-2
A2-2A = A-2
A(A-2) = A-2
A = 1

Replace the question mark with the correct number in below Picture:

How far can you walk into the woods?

You have four chains. Each chain has three links in it. Although it is difficult to cut the links, you wish to make a single loop with all 12 links. What is the fewest number of cuts you must make to accomplish this task?

I have holes on the top and bottom. I have holes on my left and on my right. And I have holes in the middle, yet I still hold water. What am I?

Irene killed hundreds of people mercilessly and yet the police were not able to put her behind the bars. Why?

Which is heavier: a ton of bricks or a ton of feathers?

Jack was having a candle light dinner with his girlfriend. Suddenly a cold gush of wind entered through the open window and three of the ten candles were extinguished. Assuming that none of the other candles were extinguished.

How many candles are they left with in the end ?

Find the next number in the series

12, 20, 40, 72, 116, 172 ?

For an extra income, John decided to work at a Hotel for one hour daily. The manager offers him that they will pay him $11 after every 11 days.
However, John offered a different proposition to the manager. The offers stand as:
He will be paid just a penny on his first day.
Two pence will be paid on the second day,
Four pence will be paid on the third day.
And so on till the 11th day.

Should the Hotel manager accept his offer?