Question

The number of heads on the farm, as determined by the farmer, was 60. When he counted, he discovered there were 150 legs. If all that was present were pigeons or horses, and every horse on the property had four legs while every pigeon had two, how many horses were there on the property?

• A. 14
• B. 12
• C. 15
• D. 10

Answer 1

Answer:

C. 15

Let:

• ( h ) = number of horses

• ( p ) = number of pigeons

Step 1: Form equations

Total heads = 60

$h + p = 60$

Total legs = 150

Horses have 4 legs and pigeons have 2 legs:

$4h + 2p = 150$

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Step 2: Solve the equations

From the first equation:

$p = 60 - h$

Substitute into the legs equation:

$4h + 2(60 - h) = 150$
$4h + 120 - 2h = 150$
$2h + 120 = 150$
$2h = 30$
$h = 15$

There were 15 horses on the property.