Question

9. In 1621, the remaining settlers from the Mayflower and Native Americans gathered for a

harvest feast. There were 140 people at the feast and 40 more Native Americans than settlers.
How many people were from each group?

Answer 1

In order to solve this, we have to formulate some equations describing the number of people. The total number of people can be calculated by adding the number of natives to the number of settlers, like this:

Total = N + S

Where N is the number of natives and S is the number of settlers. We already know that there were 140 people in total, then we can rewrite the above expression to get:

140 = N + S

We are also told that there were 40 more native Americans than settlers, then the number of natives can be calculated by adding 40 to the number of settlers like this:

N = S + 40

By replacing S + 40 for N into 140 = N + S, we get:

140 = N + S

140 = (S + 40) + S

140 = S + 40 + S

140 = S + S + 40

140 = 2S + 40

140 - 40 = 2S + 40 - 40

100 = 2S

100/2 = 2S/2

50 = S

S = 50

By replacing 50 for S into N = S + 40, we get:

N = S + 40

N = 50 + 40 = 90

N = 90

Then, there were a total of 90 natives and 50 settlers