Question

b) If m = (3x – 1) and n = (3x + 1), show that x2 = +19.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the number of cows be x and their legs be 4x.

Let the number of chicken be y and their legs be 2x.

Total number of legs = 4x + 2y.

Total number of heads = x + y.

The number of legs was 14 more than twice the number of heads.

Therefore, 2 × (x + y) + 14 = 4x + 2y.

or, 2x + 2y + 14 = 4x + 2y.

or, 2x + 14 = 4x [subtracting 2y from both sides].

or, 14 = 4x – 2x [subtracting 2x from both sides].

or, 14 = 2x.

or, x = 7 [dividing by 2 on both sides].

Therefore, the number of cows = 7