An animal shelter spends $3.50 per day to care for each bird and $4.00 per day to care for each cat. makayla noticed that the shelter spent $161.50 caring for birds and cats on wednesday. makayla found a record showing that there were a total of 43 birds and cats on wednesday. how many birds were at the shelter on wednesday?

Let x = the number of birds

Let y = the number of cats

x + y = 35       y = 35 - x

4.50x + 8.50y = 221.50       Multiply the whole equation by 100.

450x + 850y = 22150

450x + 850(35 - x) = 22150

450x + 29750 - 850x = 22150

-100x = -7600

x = 76 birds

hope this helped

there should be an link icon on the bottom of the text box you get. it looks like a paperclip!