Question

Please help with math , can you explain how to do it

Answer 1

cats = 4; dogs = 12

Explanation:

There are 3 times more dogs than cats.

There are 16 dogs and cats in all.

Let:

dogs = d ; cats = c

Set the system of equations:

d + c = 16

3c = d

Plug in 3c for d (as d = 3c) in the first equation

(3c) + c = 16

Simplify. Combine like terms:

(3c + c) = 16

4c = 16

Isolate the variable. Note the equal sign, what you do to one side, you do to the other. Divide 4 from both sides

(4c)/4 = (16)/4

c = 16/4

c = 4

Plug in 4 for c in one of the equations.

d + c = 16

d + (4) = 16

Isolate the variable. Note the equal sign, what you do to one side, you do to the other. Subtract 4 from both sides

d + 4 (-4) = 16 (-4)

d = 16 - 4

d = 12

Answers: c = 4; d = 12

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Answer 2

12 dogs

Explanation:

Let d = dogs

c = cats

d = 3c

c+d = 16

Substitute d =3c into the second equation

c+3c = 16

Combine like terms

4c = 16

Divide by 4

4c/4 = 16/4

c = 4

There are 4 cats

We still need to find the number of dogs

d = 3c

d = 3*4

= 12

There are 12 dogs