SOLUTION: An animal shelter spends $2.00 per day to care for each bird and $6.50 per day to care for each cat. Gavin noticed that the shelter spent $120.50 caring for birds and cats on Thurs

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: An animal shelter spends $2.00 per day to care for each bird and $6.50 per day to care for each cat. Gavin noticed that the shelter spent $120.50 caring for birds and cats on Thurs      Log On


   

Question 1013344: An animal shelter spends $2.00 per day to care for each bird and $6.50 per day to care for each cat. Gavin noticed that the shelter spent $120.50 caring for birds and cats on Thursday.Gavin found a record showing that there were a total of 31 birds and cats on Thursday.How many birds were at the shelter on Thursday.
Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
b and c, the counts of birds and of cats;

system%28b%2Bc=31%2C2b%2B6.5c=120.5%29----the description translated into a system of equations, to account for total birds and cats, and the cost that day.

You can try the system this way:
system%28b%2Bc=31%2C4b%2B13c=241%29, partly preparing for Elimination Method, and then

system%284b%2B4c=124%2C4b%2B13c=241%29----Now eliminate b and find c.

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