Question

Shawna and Kai both work at the same pet store. On Monday, Shawna counts 52 birds and cats in the store. For the same animals, Kai counts 138 legs. How many birds and cats are in the pet store? There are a0 birds and a1 cats.

Answer 1

35 birds and 17 cats

Answer 2

There were 35 birds and 17 cats
B+C = 52
2B + 4C = 138

B+C-C = 52-C
B= 52-C
Take this formula and substitute in 2B + 4C = 138.
2 (52-C) + 4 C =138
Distribute
104 -2C + 4C = 138
Combine like tems
104 + 2C = 138
104 - 104 + 2C =138 - 104
2C = 34
2C/2 = 34/ 2
C = 17

B + C =52
B + 17 =52
B +17 -17 = 52- 17
B = 35