Question

HELP PLEASE! A Blue Jay wanted to store some acorns for the winter. If she hides 18 acorns per tree, she will be left with four acorns; if she hides 20 acorns per tree, there will be extra space for an additional four acorns (the number of trees is always the same). How many acorns is the Blue Jay going to store for the winter, and in how many trees?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Let

T = number of trees

A = number of acorns

Given:

A = 18T + 4 ...........................(1)

A = 20T -4 .........................(2)

Equate A from (1) and (2)

20T-4 = 18T+4

simplify and solve for T

20T - 18T = 4+4

2T = 8

T = 4 trees

A = 18T + 4 = 72+4 = 76 acorns, or

A = 20T - 4 = 80 - 4 = 76 acorns.