Question

An animal shelter has a total of 140 animals comprised of cats, dogs, and rabbits. If the number of rabbits is 5 less than one-half the number of cats, and there are 20 more cats than dogs, how many of each animal are at the shelter?

Answer 1

What we know:

Total of 140 animals

Rabbits are 5 less than one-half of cats

20 more cats than dogs

Work:

We know that there are 20 more cats than dogs. So we subtract that from 140, making it 120.

- Why: If we subtract 20 from 140, 120, cats and dogs have the same number.

c = cats

The equation is: 140 = (1/2c - 5) + (c - 20) + c

I don't know how to solve it, but this is my way:

Cats: 70 66

Dogs: 40 46

Rabbits: 30 28

I tried sort of guessing. I got near the first time, so I tried reducing it. Second time, it was the answer!

There are 28 rabbits, 66 cat, and 46 dogs.

I'm sorry for not being able to use real work, but I hope this helps a little.