Final answer:
To calculate the supplies needed for the shelter animals, we add collars for dogs and cats, bowls for all animals, and toys for dogs. This results in 37 collars, 41 bowls, and 15 toys needed in total.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asked to write an expression in simplest form to show the total number of collars (c), bowls (B), and toys (t) that the animal shelter needs for its resident animals. Specifically, there are 15 dogs, 22 cats, and 4 rabbits at the shelter. Each dog needs a collar, bowl, and a toy, each cat needs a collar and a bowl, and each rabbit needs a bowl. In addition, one scratching post is needed for all cats, but the question only asks for an expression for collars, bowls, and toys.
To find the total number of collars, we sum the collars needed for dogs and cats, since rabbits do not require collars:
c = 15 dogs + 22 cats = 15 + 22 = 37 collars
To find the total number of bowls, we sum the bowls needed for all animals:
B = 15 dogs + 22 cats + 4 rabbits = 15 + 22 + 4 = 41 bowls
The total number of toys refers only to the dogs since they are the only animals that need toys:
t = 15 dogs = 15 toys