Question 1208420
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The ratio of cows to sheep in farm X is 2 to 1 while that in farm Y is 3 to 1. 
Farm Y has twice as many cows and sheep <U>altogether</U> as farm X <U>altogether</U>. 
When 56 sheep are transferred from Y to X , the number of sheep in Y is 7/8 of the number of sheep in X.
Find the number of cows in Y.
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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I edited your formulation by adding underlined words.


&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In my opinion, &nbsp;it is necessary for better understanding and to make the text unambiguous.



<pre>
Let "a" be the number of sheep in farm X.

Then the number of cows in farm X is 2a.


At farm Y, the number of sheep is "b", and the number of cows is 3b.


Farm  Y  has twice as many cows and sheep  altogether as farm  X  altogether

    b + 3b = 2(a+2a),

or

    4b = 6a.    (1)


When 56 sheep are transferred from Y to X, the number of sheep at X is (a + 56);
                                           the number of sheep at Y is (b - 56).


Now the number of sheep in Y is 7/8 of the number of sheep in X

    {{{(7/8)*(a+56)}}} = b-56.


Simplify this equation

    7(a+56) = 8*(b-56).

    7a + 392 = 2*(4b) - 448.


In the last equation, replace 4b by 6a, based on (1).  You will get

    7a + 392 = 2*(6a) - 448

    7a + 392 = 12a - 448

    392 + 448 = 12a - 7a

        840   = 5a

          a   = 840/5 = 168.


Now from (1) find  b = {{{(6a)/4}}} = {{{(6*168)/4}}} = 252.


<U>ANSWER</U>.  The number of cows in Y is  3b = 3*252 = 756.
</pre>

Solved.