SOLUTION: Word problem: Bruce was a pupil at Madison Elemnetary School in 1945. The year of his birth is a perfect square. How old was he on his birthday in 1988? Another word problem: In

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Question 533268: Word problem: Bruce was a pupil at Madison Elemnetary School in 1945. The year of his birth is a perfect square. How old was he on his birthday in 1988?
Another word problem: In a group of cows and turkeys, the number of heads is 35 less than the number of legs. What is the largest number of cows that could be in this group of animals?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I try to think of numbers that are
around 1945 when you square them.
+50%2A50+=+2500+ too high
+40%2A40+=+1600+ too low
+45%2A45+=+2025+ too high
+44%2A44+=+1936+ just right
That would make Bruce 9 years old
( depending on the month he was born )
In 1988 on his birthday, Bruce would
be exactly +1988+-+1936+=+52+
52 years old
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Let +c+ = number of cows
Let +t+ = number of turkeys
Number of heads = +c+%2B+t+
Number of legs = +4c+%2B+2t+
given:
+c+%2B+t+=+4c+%2B+2t+-+35+
This is 1 equation with 2 unknowns, so it
isn't directly solvable, but I can make guesses
Subtract c from both sides
+t+=+3c+%2B+2t+-+35+
Subtract t from both sides
+0+=+3c+%2B+t+-+35+
Add 5 to both sides
+3c+%2B+t+=+35+
What if there are 10 cows?
+3%2A10+%2B+t+=+35+
+t+=+35+-+30+
+t+=+5+
What if there are 11 cows?
+3%2A11+%2B+t+=+35+
+t+=+35+-+33+
+t+=+2+
What if there are 12 cows?
+3%2A12+%2B+t+=+35+
+t+=+35+-+36+
There can't be minus one turkey, so
the largest possible number of cows
is 11
check answer:
+c+%2B+t+=+4c+%2B+2t+-+35+
+11+%2B+t+=+4%2A11+%2B+2t+-+35+
+11+%2B+t+=+9+%2B+2t+
Subtract 9 from both sides
+2+%2B+t+=+2t+
Subtract t from both sides
+t+=+2+
That's correct