at the zoo, there were 3 times as many monkeys as lions. Tom counted a total of 24 monkeys and lions. How many monkeys were there?

Question

comparison word problems

Answer 1

First, let's look at the information we know.  We know that there are 24 total, and there are three times as many monkeys as there are lions.

 

So we know that if we add monkeys and lions, we should get 24.

 

24 = monkeys + lions

 

Knowing our ratio of monkeys to lions we can assign variables.  If we use "x" for lions, we can use their comparison to assign "3x" for monkeys.

 

monkeys = 3x

lions = x

 

Now just plug it all in,

 

24 = 3x + x

 

and work it out.

 

24 = 4x

 

6 = x

 

Remember! We want the total of monkeys which we determined was "3x."

 

3x

 

3 (6)

 

18

 

So our answer would be 18 monkeys.

Answer 2

Cynthia

 

this is a word problem that you will solve from two equations.

 

First lets assign some variables

 

L - number of lions

M - number of monkeys

 

Now lets determine your two equations'

 

1. there are 3 times as many monkeys as lions

 

3L = M   (pretty much says that for each lion there are 3 monkeys so we would need to multiply the number lions by 3 to get the number of monkeys)

 

2. There are a total of 24 monkeys and lions

 

M + L = 24  

 

Now from eqn 1 we have M in terms of L so we could substitute in 3L for M in equation 2 and then solve equation 2 for L

 

M + L  = 24

3L + L = 24   (M = 3L)

4L = 24

L = 24/4

L = 6

 

Now that you have solved for L you can determine M from equation 1

 

M = 3L 

M = 3*6   (using L from above)

M = 18 

 

Now to verify that you did indeed get the right answer, substitute in L and M into equation 2

 

M + L = 24

18 + 6 = 24

24 = 24  (correct)

 

So your answer would be there are 18 monkeys

 

You can find more examples on how to do word problems from Purple Math

 

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/translat.htm

 

 

Answer 3

Hi Cynthia;

 

Quantity of lions=x

Quantity of monkeys=3x

 

3x+x=24

 

4x=24

x=6

 

Lions=6

Monkeys=18

 

Please let me know if you need anything else.  I LOVE MATH!