Question

Write a system of equations to describe the situation below. Sparkles the Clown makes balloon animals for children at birthday parties. At Jenny’s party, she made 2 balloon poodles and 2 balloon giraffes, which used a total of 12 balloons. For Roger’s party, she used 27 balloons to make 4 balloon poodles and 5 balloon giraffes. How many balloons does each animal require?

Answer 1

Each animal require 3 balloons.

Explanation:

Let 'x' be the number of balloon poodles.

Let 'y' be the number of balloon giraffes.

• 2x+2y = 12 ---------(1)
• 4x+5y = 27 ---------(2)

Multiply eqn (1) by 2 and subtract eqn(2) from eqn(1),

4x+4y = 24

(-) 4x+5y = 27

-y = -3

⇒ y=3

⇒ Number of balloon giraffes = 3

Substitute y=3 in eqn(1)

⇒ 2x+2(3) = 12

⇒ 2x+6=12

⇒ x = 6/2

⇒ x = 3

⇒ Number of balloon poodles = 3