Answer:
The number of cats at the shelter on Friday was 20.
Explanation:
Hi there!
Let "x" be the number of cats and "y" the number of dogs.
The shelter spends $2 per cat and $7 per dog. If the total expenses on Friday was $82, then, two times the number of cats plus seven times the number of dogs is equal to 82:
2x + 7y = 82
We also know that the total number of cats and dogs was 26. Then, the number of cats plus the number of dogs is equal to 26:
x + y = 26
Let´s solve this equation for y and replace it in the first equation
y = 26 - x
Then:
2x + 7(26 - x) = 82
Apply distributive property:
2x + 182 - 7x = 82
Subtract 182 to both sides of the equation:
-5x = -100
divide both sides of the equation by -5
x = 20
The number of cats at the shelter on Friday was 20.
Have a nice day!