Math Is Fun Forum

monto

Guest

Maths

A farmer was asked how many cows she has. The farmer replied, “Between the cows and the chicken, there are 25 eyes and 76 feet.” How many cows does she have? How many chickens does she have?
thanks

Jai Ganesh

Administrator

Registered: 2005-06-28

Posts: 46,230

Re: Maths

Hi,

This cannot be solved with the help of simultaneous equations which are practical.

See these.

The puzzle cannot be solved.

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It appears to me that if one wants to make progress in mathematics, one should study the masters and not the pupils. - Niels Henrik Abel.

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Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,158

Re: Maths

hi monto

Welcome to the forum.

It looks like there is an error in the wording of this problem.  Here's why:

Let x be the number of cows and y be the number of chickens.

Assuming each animal has two eyes; the cows have four legs; and the chickens have two legs then

2x + 2y = 25
4x + 2y = 76

Subtracting

2x = 51  so x = 25.5 and y = -13

So there's an algebraic solution but not one that makes sense for these animals.

Please check the problem wording.

Bob

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Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob