Adam has 11 hens and donkeys.
These animals have 32 feet in all.
How many (a) donkeys and (b) hens does Adam have?
Number of hens |
Number of hens' legs |
Number of donkeys |
Number of donkeys' legs |
Total number of legs between the hens and the donkeys |
11 |
11 x 2 = 22 |
0 |
0 x 4 = 0 |
22 + 0 = 22 |
10 |
10 x 2 = 20 |
1 |
1 x 4 = 4 |
20 + 4 = 24 |
5 |
5 x 2 = 10 |
11 |
11 x 4 = 44 |
10 + 44 = 32 |
If all of the animals are hens,
the number of legs needed
= 11 x 2
= 22
Total number of extra legs
= 32 - 22
= 10
Difference in the number of legs between 1 donkey and 1 hen
= 4 - 2
= 2
The number of extra legs belongs to the donkeys.
Number of donkeys
= 10 ÷ 2
= 5 (a)
Number of hens
= 11 - 5
= 6 (b)
Answer(s): (a) 5; (b) 6