Question

Kim is making a bouquet for her friend. She used x tulips and some daffodils in the bouquet. The number of daffodils is equal to the square root of the number of tulips. If the total number of flowers in the bouquet is 20, find the number of tulips.

5
16
20
4

Answer 1

16

Explanation:

So the number of tulips (t) plus the number of daffodils (d) should equal up to 20. So if we write that as an equation, it would t + d = 20. So now we have to find what two numbers could add up to 20, but let's not forget that the number of daffodils is equal to the square root of the number of tulips.

So now we have to find a number when added to its square root is 20. So going by process of elimination, you can eliminate 5 because the square root of that is a decimal and 5 plus a decimal isn't going to add up to 20. You know you can eliminate 20 because it already reaches the limit with the number of tulips, not allowing enough room for daffodils. You can eliminate 4 because the square root of that is 2, and 4 + 2 = 6, not 20.

So that leaves 16... The square root of 16 is 4, because 4 divided by itself twice equals 16. Now, let's add them and see if it equals 20. 16 tulips + 4 daffodils = 20. So 16 is your answer.

Sorry I am bad at explaining things, but I hope this helps anyway!

Answer 2

Option B is the correct answer.

Explanation:

She used x tulips and some daffodils in the bouquet.

The number of daffodils is equal to the square root of the number of tulips.

`\texttt{Number of daffodils = }√(x)`

The total number of flowers in the bouquet is 20

That is

`x+√(x)=20`

Solving

`x+√(x)=20\\\\√(x)=20-x\\\\x=(20-x)^2\\\\x=400-40x+x^2\\\\x^2-41x+400=0\\\\(x-25)(x-16)=0\\\\\texttt{x=25 or x = 16}`

Total number is less than 20 so 25 is not possible

Number of tulips used = 16

Option B is the correct answer.