The answer depends on the perspective; however, this question is often meant to be a "trick question"; with the answer being: 2 (two) apples!
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The rationale behind this answer is that if there are three apples, but you "take 2 away" you now have "2" apples, because YOU are the one who "took away the 2 apples"—so presumably, YOU have the "2 apples" that YOU "took away"!
