Question

While visiting a friend's home, I saw kittens and children playing in the backyard. Counting heads, I got 11.

Counting feet, I got 32. How many kittens and how many children were in the backyard? (Hint: Use a
Variable)

Answer 1

5 kittens and 6 children

Explanation:

We can use variables to find the number of kittens (K) and children (C)

each kitten will have 4 legs and each child will have 2.

You can make two equations like so:

4k+2c=32

k+c=11

You then can use the substitution method to solve for both variables:

k+c=11

Subtract k from each side:

c=11-k

Substitute this into the other equation:

4k+2(−k+11)=32

Solve for k:

4k-2k+22=32

2k=10

k=5

Then use this in one of the equations to find the other variable:

k+c=11

5+c=11

Rewrite this to make it easier:

11-5=c

c=6

k=5 and c=6

you can check this by substituting each of these value to make sure the equations are true:

k+c=11

5+6=11

11=11

4k+2c=32

4(5)+2(6)=32

20+12=32

32=32

They both check right, so

c=6 and k=5

are your answers.

There are 5 kittens and 6 children in the backyard

There is your answer

Hope this helps!