Question

At the zoo,there were 3 times as many monkeys than lions.Tom counted a total of 24 monkeys and lions.How many monkeys were there?

Answer 1

`3x-\ monkeys\\ x-\ lions\\\\ 3x+x=24\\ 4x=24\ \ \ \ divide\ by\ 4\\ x=6\\\\ 3x=18\\\\There\ are\ 18\ monkeys\ and\ 6\ lions.`

Answer 2

so monkeys/3=lions or monkeys=3(lions)
monkeys+lions=24
subsitute monkeys=3(lions) for monkeys in the second equation
3(lions)+lions=24
add like terms
4lions=24
divide both sides by 4
lions=6
subsitute lions=6 into second equation
monkeys+6=24
subtract 6 from both sides
monkeys=18