posted on Oct, 12 2004 @ 03:53 PM
Well I flunked math because I never did homework, but I understood it all but just didn't care. I solved this one and it isn't real difficult:
First I assigned variables to pigs and hens.
Pigs=p and Hens=h
Then I made two equations which both must be true in order to solve this; the first one is the number of pigs and hens count by their heads:
p+h=38
then I made the second equation showing the logic behind the number of feet:
2h+4p=100,
where each hen has 2 feet and pigs have 4.
next I solved the value for h in the feet equation changing the numbers around in the first equation (follow this):
p+h=38;
h=38-p
now add this to the second equation
2h+4p=100; so
2(38-p)+4p=100
now simplify this for p
2(38-p)+4p=100;
76-2p+4p=100;
76+2p=100;
2p=100-76;
2p=24;
p=12;
therefore the # of pigs is 12.
put this answer back into the first equation:
h+p=38;
h+12=38
h=38-12 and
h=26.
therefore their are 26 hens.
Now check your work;
does 12 pigs and 26 hens = 38 heads? Yes.
Does 12 pigs and 26 hens have 100 legs?
12 pigs X 4 legs = 48 legs and,
26 hens X 2 legs = 52 legs.
48 + 52 legs = 100 legs! Yes.
Hope this helps.