View Full Version : How many boys are there?
hello1kitty
Sep 27, 2010, 07:04 AM
A math teacher saw a playground full of boys and dogs. He counted 30 heads and 100 legs, how many of them are boys?
Unknown008
Sep 27, 2010, 07:17 AM
Set up an equation and define some variables.
Let b be the number of boys.
Let d be the number of dogs.
Each dog and each boy has one head, and they add up to 30.
So, b + d = 30
Each boy has 2 legs and each dog has 4 legs, for a total of 100 legs (the teacher really counted all of them? :p)
This gives:
2b + 4d = 100
You have now two equations, and two unknowns. Can you now solve the problem? :)
Post what you get! :)
hello1kitty
Sep 27, 2010, 07:34 AM
so 15 + 15 = 30
2(15) + 4(15) = 100
So there were 15 boys
Is this correct?
Unknown008
Sep 27, 2010, 07:35 AM
Not quite...
2(15) + 4(15) = 30 + 60 = 90
Try again :)
Do you know how to use substitution or elimination to solve simultaneous equations?
hello1kitty
Sep 27, 2010, 08:01 AM
Somewhat, I've never been a big fan of these.
I will post my answer as soon.
Unknown008
Sep 27, 2010, 08:01 AM
Ok, I'll be waiting for you :)