There are a total of 637 donkeys, horses, hens and chickens at a farm. The number of hens was 357 more than the number of donkeys. The total number of horses and chickens was 3 times the number of donkeys.
- How many horses and chickens were there at the farm?
- The total number of legs for all the horses and chickens was 612. How many horses were there in the farm?
(a)
Number of donkeys = 1 u
Number of horses and chickens = 3 u
Number of hens = 1 u + 357
Total number of animals
= 1 u + 3 u + 1 u + 357
= 5 u + 357
5 u + 357 = 637
5 u = 637 - 357
5 u = 280
1 u = 280 ÷ 5 = 56
Number of horses and chickens
= 3 u
= 3 x 56
= 168
(b)
Number of
horses |
Number of
horses' legs |
Number of
chickens |
Number of
chickens' legs |
Total
|
168
|
168 x 4 =
672 |
0
|
0
|
672
|
167
|
167 x 4 =
668 |
1
|
1 x 2 =
2 |
670
|
138
|
138 x 4 =
552 |
30
|
30 x 2=
60 |
612
|
Total number of horses and chickens = 168
Total number of legs if all of them are horses
= 168 x 4
= 672
Big difference in the total number of legs between the horses and the chickens
= 672 - 612
= 60
Small difference in number of legs between one horse and one chicken
= 4 - 2
= 2
Number of chickens
= 60 ÷ 2
= 30
Number of horses
= 168 - 30
= 138
Answer(s): (a) 168; (b) 138
