a zoo has 54 animals consisting of birds and mammals with a total of 140 feet, how many are mammals and how many are birds

Question

A small zoo have a total of 54 animals consisting of mammals and birds. If there are a total of 140 feet among the animal, how many are mammals and how many are birds 

Answer 1

Wes, this requires a system of equations.

 

b + m = 54

2b + 4m = 140

 

We "solve" the first equation for either b or m. Let's do b.

 

b = 54 - m

 

Now we substitute the new "value" of b into the 2nd equation.

 

2(54 - m) + 4m = 140

108 - 2m + 4m = 140

2m = 32

m = 16

 

b = 54 - 16 = 38

 

Hope this helps!