Question

A chicken coop contains chickens and rabbits. There are altogether 56 legs and 20 heads, How many chickens are there in this chicken coop?

(Show the solution by using an equation)

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Answer 1

Let x = number of chickens
Let y = number of rabbits

x + y = 20 (heads)
2x + 4y = 56 (legs)

Solving the equations:

x + y = 20
2x + 4y = 56

Subtracting equation 1 from equation 2:
2x - x = 56 - 20
x = 36

Substituting x = 36 into equation 1:
36 + y = 20
y = 20 - 36
y = -16

Therefore, there are 36 chickens and -16 rabbits in the chicken coop.