Tired of riding the surf, playing catch, and flying kites, Rory and Pablo are counting birds at the beach. There are lots of birds, especially sea gulls and sandpipers. At one time during the day Rory and Pablo count 142 sea gulls and sandpipers altogether, and 42 more sea gulls than sandpipers. How many sea gulls and how many sandpipers did they count?
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Let x be the number of sandpipers
Then x+42 is the number of seagulls
The total is 142 so
x+x+42 = 142
2x = 142 - 42
2x = 100
x = 50
So there are 50 sandpipers .... and 50+42 = 92 seagulls ... with a total of 92+50 = 142
Then x+42 is the number of seagulls
The total is 142 so
x+x+42 = 142
2x = 142 - 42
2x = 100
x = 50
So there are 50 sandpipers .... and 50+42 = 92 seagulls ... with a total of 92+50 = 142
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X = number of gulls
Y = number of pipers
X + Y = 142
X - Y = 42
X = 142 - Y
(142 - Y) - Y = 42
142 - 2Y = 42
100 = 2Y
50 = Y
142 - 50 = X
92 = X
Y = number of pipers
X + Y = 142
X - Y = 42
X = 142 - Y
(142 - Y) - Y = 42
142 - 2Y = 42
100 = 2Y
50 = Y
142 - 50 = X
92 = X