Question 204160

Let the amount of chickens be c, and the amount of sheep be s
Since there are 26 heads, then we’ll have: c + s = 26

Since there are 74 legs and since chickens have 2 legs, while sheep have 4, we’ll then have:   2c  +  4s  =  74


We now have he following 2 simultaneous equations:


c  +  s  =  26 (multiply by – 2)  ----->  - 2c  -   2s  =   - 52
2c  +  4s  =  74 (multiply by 1) ----->    2c  +  4s   =     74
Add eq (i) & eq (ii) ----------------->             2s   =     22
							s   =    11


Substituting 11 for s in eq (i), we get:    c  +  11  =  26
							c  =  15


Therefore, there are {{{highlight_green(15)}}} chickens, and {{{highlight_green(11)}}} sheep on the farm.


Check:

15 chickens + 11 sheep = 26 heads

(15 chickens * 2 legs)  +  (11 sheep * 4 legs)  =   30 + 44  =  74 legs