Question

At the beach, Cody saw 4 times as many

seagulls as pelicans. If there were a total of 30
birds, how many birds were pelicans?

Answer 1

• Pellicans be y
• Seagulls be 4y

ATQ

• y+4y=30
• 5y=30
• y=6

Pellicans are 6

Answer 2

6 pelicans

Explanation:

Let x = number of pelicans

Cody saw 4 times as many seagulls as pelicans:

⇒ number of seagulls = 4x

Total of 30 birds:

⇒ seagulls + pelicans = 30

⇒ 4x + x = 30

⇒ 5x = 30

⇒ x = 6

Therefore, there were 6 pelicans (and 24 seagulls).