The Bird Problem

Solution

Dr. Robert J. Rapalje

Seminole State College of Florida

Sanford, FL  32773

A cardinal is two inches longer than a painted bunting, and the length of a dove is 3 inches less than the sum of the lengths of the cardinal and the bunting.  If  the length of 5 doves is equal to the lengths of 4 painted buntings and 4 cardinals, how long is each bird?

 

Let x = length of the painted bunting. 

x+2 = length of the cardinal

 

Bunting + Cardinal - 3 = Dove

   x    +  (x+2)  - 3 = Dove

2x-1= length of the dove

 

5(Doves) = 4(Buntings) + 4(Cardinals)

5(2x-1)  =  4(x)     +   4(x+2)

10x - 5  =  4x + 4x + 8

10x - 5  =   8x + 8

    2x   =     13

     x   =    6.5 inches   Painted Bunting

  x + 2  =    8.5 inches   Cardinal

 2x - 1  =   12  inches    Dove

 

Click here for pictures of the birds!

 

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Dr. Robert J. Rapalje Altamonte Springs Campus
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