A Blue Jay wanted to store some acorns for the winter. If she hides 18 acorns per tree, she will be left with four acorns; if she hides 20 acorns per tree, there will be extra space for an additional four acorns (the number of trees is always the same). How many acorns is the Blue Jay going to store for the winter, and in how many trees?

Remark

This is a nice problem especially if you like blue jays! They actually do things like this.

Equations.

Let the number of trees = T

Let the number of acorns = A

20*T = A + 4 Read that carefully. There are 4 acorns left over. The number stored = A. The left over ones make 4 more than were stored.

Second equation

18*T = A - 4 Here we have 4 less than could be stored to full capacity.

Solution

20T = A + 4

18T = A - 4 Subtract

2T = 8 Divide by 2

T = 8/2; T = 4 Answer

20T = A + 4

20*4 = A

80 - 4 = A

A = 76 Answer

Answers

The number of Trees = T

The number of acorns = 76