An animal shelter spends $2.50 per day to care for each bird and $7.50 per day to care for each cat. Allison noticed that the shelter spent $62.50 caring for birds and cats on Monday. Allison found a record showing that there were a total of 19 birds and cats on Monday. How many birds were at the shelter on Monday?

Question

Mathematics

Mckenzie Maynard

16 November, 13:58

An animal shelter spends $2.50 per day to care for each bird and $7.50 per day to care for each cat. Allison noticed that the shelter spent $62.50 caring for birds and cats on Monday. Allison found a record showing that there were a total of 19 birds and cats on Monday. How many birds were at the shelter on Monday?

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Evan Lam · Answer 1

Answer = 16 birds

1. Write out your equations

X = birds

Y = cats

x + y = 19

2.50x + 7.50y = 62.50

2. Isolate one variable.

x + y = 19

x = 19 - y

3. Plug this in as the variable in the other equation. Then, solve.

2.5 (19 - y) + 7.5y = 62.5

47.5 - 2.5y + 7.5y = 62.5

-2.5y + 7.5y = 15

5y = 15

y = 3 (cats)

4. Solve for the other variable.

We know there were 19 animals in total on Monday. Since there were 3 cats, there must be 16 birds.

5. Double check by plugging the numbers into the original equations.

16 + 3 = 19

19 = 19 (true)

2.5 (16) + 7.5 (3) = 62.5

40 + 22.5 = 62.5

62.5 = 62.5 (true)