A pet shop has a total of 21 dogs and birds. Altogether there are 64 feet. How many dogs are there and how many birds? A. 13 dogs and 8 birds B. 10 dogs and 11 birds C. 11 dogs and 10 birds D. 12 dogs and 9 birds

To solve this puzzle, let’s define the number of dogs as "d" and the number of birds as "b". We know there are a total of 21 animals: 1. \( d + b = 21 \) We also know that dogs have 4 feet and birds generally have 2 feet. The total number of feet can be expressed as: 2. \( 4d + 2b = 64 \) Now, we can solve these equations. From the first equation, we can express "b" in terms of "d": \( b = 21 - d \) Substituting this into the second equation gives us: \( 4d + 2(21 - d) = 64 \) Simplifying it leads to: \( 4d + 42 - 2d = 64 \) Which ultimately becomes: \( 2d = 22 \) Thus, \( d = 11 \) So, substituting back to find "b": \( b = 21 - 11 = 10 \) Therefore, there are **11 dogs and 10 birds**! Hence, the answer is C. Now, let’s think about how this applies in real life. Suppose you were looking to adopt a pet based on your living environment. Knowing how many feet your potential pets have may not exactly help — but understanding their needs based on the type (dog vs. bird) can guide you to make a perfect match for your home! And if you're keen on brushing up your math skills, practice similar problems involving equations and basic algebra, or even try mixing it up with word problems related to different scenarios like shopping, cooking, or gardening! You'll find math can be both fun and practical!