Question

33. Farmer Deanna looks out her window and counts a total of 64 legs on a total of 20 animals. If she has only

sheep and chickens, how many of each does she have? (Hint: Sheep have 4 legs each and chickens 2 legs each.

Answer 1

12 sheep

8 chickens

Explanation:

x+y=20, x=number of sheep and y=number of chickens

4x+2y=64. (Total number of legs)

Solve the system algebraically or graphically.

1. Multiply the top equation by -2 then add the equations together to solve for x.

Or

1. Solve for y in the top equation and substitute that for y in the second equation.

Then

2. Put x into either equation to solve for y.