Question

Farmer Johnson raises cows and chickens. For some reason he does not remember how many of each

animal he has, but does remember that he counted 54 heads and 140 feet.
How many of each kind of animal does he have?

Answer 1

There are 38 chickens and 16 cows.
38 times 2 equals 76 and 16 times 4 equals 64. 64 plus 76 equals 140.

Answer 2

Explanation:

Let the number of cows = x

Let the number of chickens = y

4x + 2y = 140

x + y = 54

Multiply the second equation by 2

2x + 2y = 108

Now write the new equation under the first equation and subtract.

4x + 2y = 140

2x + 2y = 108 Subtract

2x = 32 Divide by 2

x = 32/2

x = 16

There are 16 cows and 38 chickens.

Check

16 * 4 = 64

38 * 2 = 76

Total 140