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# need help

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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.

Mar 3, 2020

#1
+863
+2

Hey!

Let's start by setting two variables,

$$S = \text{sheep}$$

$$C = \text{chicken}$$

Once we have our variables we can go ahead and make our equations:

1.) The easiest equation that we can make with these two variables is with the total # of animals.

The number of sheep + The number of chickens = The total # of animals,

So we get the equation: $$S + C = 20$$.

2.) Now, we are given that sheep have $$4$$ legs and chickens have $$2$$ legs.

(The number of sheep x The number of legs each sheep has) + (The number of chickens x The number of legs each chicken has) = The total # of legs.

So we get the equation $$4S + 2C = 64$$

Now that we have our two equations,

$$4S + 2C = 64$$

$$S + C = 20$$,

You can use the two equations to either substitute the variables or eliminate them to find your answer.

Mar 3, 2020

#1
+863
+2

Hey!

Let's start by setting two variables,

$$S = \text{sheep}$$

$$C = \text{chicken}$$

Once we have our variables we can go ahead and make our equations:

1.) The easiest equation that we can make with these two variables is with the total # of animals.

The number of sheep + The number of chickens = The total # of animals,

So we get the equation: $$S + C = 20$$.

2.) Now, we are given that sheep have $$4$$ legs and chickens have $$2$$ legs.

(The number of sheep x The number of legs each sheep has) + (The number of chickens x The number of legs each chicken has) = The total # of legs.

So we get the equation $$4S + 2C = 64$$

Now that we have our two equations,

$$4S + 2C = 64$$

$$S + C = 20$$,

You can use the two equations to either substitute the variables or eliminate them to find your answer.

KnockOut Mar 3, 2020