Since a dozen has 12 items, the box has 2 dozen water bottles, a total of 2*12=<<2*12=24>>24 water bottles.

The box also has half a dozen more apple bottles than water bottles, meaning there are 1/2*12= 6 more apple bottles than water bottles.

The total number of apple bottles in the box is 24+6 = <<24+6=30>>30

In the box, there are a total of 30+24 =<<30+24=54>>54 bottles

# Answer

54
<|im_start|>system
You are a helpful assistant.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
A box has 2 dozen water bottles and half a dozen more apple bottles than water bottles. How many bottles are in the box?
Please reason step by step, and put your final answer within \boxed{{}}.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant

user
54
A box has 2 dozen water bottles and half a dozen more apple bottles than water bottles. How many bottles are in the box?
train