Question 111555
x=original number of rabbits

Then x/2=original number of female  rabbits
and x/2=original number of male rabbits


After he sells two female rabbits, he has 1/3(x-2) female rabbits left

So, the way I see it is as follows:

Number of female rabbits after the sale {(1/3)(x-2)} plus the number of male rabbits (x/2) equals the original number of rabbits less 2 (the females that he sold):

1/3(x-2)+(x/2)=x-2 simplify

(1/3)x-(2/3)+(x/2)=x-2  multiply each term by 6

2x-4+3x=6x-12 simplify
5x-4=6x-12 subtract 6x from and add 4 to both sides

5x-6x-4+4=6x-6x-12+4
-x=-8 multiply each term by -1

x=8 original number of rabbits

CK

Original number of females=x/2=8/2=4
Give away 2, then Roland has 2 females left and 4 males left for a total of 6 rabbits and 1/3 of them, or 2, are females.


Hope this helps---ptaylor