Answer:
16
Explanation:
let x = the number of birds in the first photo
let y = the total number of birds
1st photo = x
2nd photo = 9 fewer birds than 1st photo = x - 9
3rd photo = 5 more birds that 1st photo = x + 5
Therefore,
x + (x - 9) + (x + 5) = y
We know that the total number of birds is 44, so y = 44
⇒ x + (x - 9) + (x + 5) = 44
⇒ x + x - 9 + x + 5 = 44
⇒ 3x - 4 = 44
⇒ 3x = 44 + 4 = 48
⇒ x = 48 ÷ 3 = 16
So if x = 16 and x = the number of birds in the 1st photo,
there are 16 birds in the 1st photo.