Question

The zoo downtown has 9 times as many monkeys as elephants. They have 60 animals all together. How many elephants are there?

Answer 1

Answer: There’s technically no answer to this question, unless you specify that the zoo only has monkeys and elephants. If the zoo has more than two types of animal then the ratio doesn’t help because there are unknown variables.

However, if we knew that the zoo only has monkeys and elephants, then:

E = number of elephants

M = number of monkeys

M=9E

M + E = 60

9E+E= 60

10E = 60

E = 6

There are 6 elephants (and 54 monkeys).

Answer 2

6

Explanation:

e = number of elephants

9 times as many monkeys as elephants

m = 9e

------------------------

60 animals all together

e + m = 60

e + 9e = 60

Combine like terms

10e = 60

Divide both sides by 10

e = 6