Question

jean stocked her aquarium with 36 freshwater fish, which cost $212. the male fish cost $5 each, while the female fish cost $7 each. find the number of male fish (x) and the number of female fish (y).
solution (
,
)
number of males?
number of females?

Explanation:

Step1: Set up total fish equation

$x + y = 36$

Step2: Set up total cost equation

$5x + 7y = 212$

Step3: Isolate $x$ from Step1

$x = 36 - y$

Step4: Substitute $x$ into cost equation

$5(36 - y) + 7y = 212$

Step5: Simplify to solve for $y$

$180 - 5y + 7y = 212$
$2y = 212 - 180$
$2y = 32$
$y = 16$

Step6: Substitute $y$ to find $x$

$x = 36 - 16 = 20$

Answer:

Number of males? 20
Number of females? 16
Solution ($x=20$, $y=16$)