document.write( "Question 241567: A rancher buys 100 live animals for $100. Chickens cost 50cents each, goats cost $3.50 and cows $10.00 each. How many of each did the rancher buy? Is more than one combination possible? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #176942 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
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A rancher buys 100 live animals for $100.
\n" ); document.write( "Chickens cost 50 cents each, goats cost $3.50 and cows $10.00 each.
\n" ); document.write( " How many of each did the rancher buy? Is more than one combination possible?
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Write two equations:
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "No. of animals
\n" ); document.write( "ch + g + c = 100
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Cost equation
\n" ); document.write( ".5ch + 3.5g + 10c = 100
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Two equations, 3 unknowns
\n" ); document.write( "We know there can't be very many cows
\n" ); document.write( "After trying a couple values for no. of cows, came up with 4 cows,
\n" ); document.write( "they're worth $40, our two equations then are:
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "ch + g = 100 - 4
\n" ); document.write( "ch + g = 96
\n" ); document.write( "and
\n" ); document.write( ".5ch + 3.5g = 100 - 40
\n" ); document.write( ".5ch + 3.5g = 60
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Multiply the 2nd equation by 2 and subtract the 1st equation:
\n" ); document.write( "ch + 7g = 120
\n" ); document.write( "ch + g = 96
\n" ); document.write( "---------------- subtracting eliminates ch
\n" ); document.write( "0 + 6g = 24
\n" ); document.write( "g = \"24%2F6\"
\n" ); document.write( "4 goats
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Find chicks
\n" ); document.write( "ch + 4 = 96
\n" ); document.write( "ch = 96 - 4
\n" ); document.write( "92 chickens
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "We have then: 4 cows, 4 goats, 92 chickens
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\n" ); document.write( ";
\n" ); document.write( "Check in the cost equation
\n" ); document.write( ".5(92) + 3.5(4) + 10(4) =
\n" ); document.write( "46 + 14 + 40 = 100\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Not sure if this is the only solution. You can try other values for no. of cows and see.
\n" ); document.write( "I don't think odd number of cows will work \n" ); document.write( "
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