Question

While on a walk in the country, you pass a field full of horses and chickens. After a quick count, you determine there are 43 heads and 122 feet in the field. How many of each animal are there?

Answer 1

Horse = x = 1 head and 4 feet

Chicken =y = 1 head and 2 feet

Horse + chicken = x + y = 43 ( total heads)

Horse = 43 - y

4x + 2y = 122

4(43-y) + 2y = 122

Simplify:

172-4y + 2y = 122

Combine like terms

172-2y = 122

Subtract 172 from both sides

-2y = -50

Divide both sides by-2

Y = 25

X + y = 43

X + 25 = 43

X = 18

There are 18 horses and 25 chickens.