Question:

Tim counted 24 mole rats in an exhibit at the zoo. Then he realized that he forgot to count x mole rats.

A. Write an expression to represent the number of mole rats in the exhibit. Why is this the correct expression?

B. Suppose a sign next to the exhibit says that there are 36 mole rats. What is the value of x? Explain your reasoning.

C. Now that you know there are 36 mole rats in the exhibit, write an expression to represent the number of mole rats that Tim counted. Use x in the expression.

(0,-3) see attached graph

step-by-step explanation:

a. to solve the system, graph the two equations.

x = y+3 becomes y=x-3 has m=1/1 and b=-3. start at (0,-3) on the y-axis and plot a point. then move up 1 unit and 1 unit to the right. plot a point and connect.

y=-4x+3 has m =-4/1 and b=-3. start at (0,-3) on the y-axis and plot a point. then move down four units and to the right 1 unit. plot a point and connect.

the solution is the point (x,y) where the two lines intersect. by the graph below it is (0,-3).

b. to solve by substitution, substitute y = -4x-3 into x= y+3

x= (-4x-3) +3

x=-4x

5x=0

x=0

now substitute x = 0 back in to find y.

y= -4(0)-3

y=0-3

y=-3

solution is (0,-3)

c. use elimination by adding the equations together.

x-y=3

4x+y=-3

5x=0

x=0

then substitute into one equation to find y.

y=-4(0)-3

y=-3