crazy word problem

Question

Six years ago, in a state park, the deer outnumbered the foxes by 80. Since then, the number of deer has doubled and the number of foxes has increased by 40. If there is now a total of 365 deer and foxes in the park, how many foxes were there six years ago?

Answer 1

Let x = number of foxes six years ago

 

Then, x+80 = number of deer six years ago

 

Number of deer now = 2(x+80) = 2x+160

 

Number of foxes now = x+40

 

So, (2x+160) + (x+40) = 365

 

                             3x = 165    x = 55

 

Six years ago, there were 55 foxes and 135 deer present in the park.