# Algebra Word Problem Help

• April 8th 2010, 07:50 AM
guest84
Algebra Word Problem Help
Anyone know how to solve the problem below? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

There are some lotus flowers in a garden and some bees are hovering around. If one bee lands on each flower, one bee will be left. If two bees land on each flower, one flower will be left. Find the number of bees and the number of flower in the garden.
• April 8th 2010, 07:58 AM
Anonymous1
Quote:

Originally Posted by guest84
Anyone know how to solve the problem below? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

There are some lotus flowers in a garden and some bees are hovering around. If one bee lands on each flower, one bee will be left. If two bees land on each flower, one flower will be left. Find the number of bees and the number of flower in the garden.

4 bees 3 flowers.
• April 8th 2010, 09:44 AM
guest84
f = b+1.

2b = f.

Anonymous, I think the answer 4 bees, 3 flowers is correct is it is one of my options. However when I solve the following equations that were e-mailed back I do not get that answer. Also wouldn't the first equation be one more flower than bee? I have to be missing something. Thank you for your willingness to help.
• April 8th 2010, 11:29 AM
Anonymous1
Quote:

Originally Posted by guest84
f = b+1.

$\color{red}{\text{There is one more bee than flowers.}}$

2b = f.

$\text{If two bees land on each flower} \ \color{red}{\text{there will be 1 flower left.}}$

Anonymous, I think the answer 4 bees, 3 flowers is correct is it is one of my options. However when I solve the following equations that were e-mailed back I do not get that answer. Also wouldn't the first equation be one more flower than bee? I have to be missing something. Thank you for your willingness to help.

• April 8th 2010, 11:38 AM
Anonymous1
If one bee lands on each flower, one bee will be left.

$b \ \ \ b \ \ \ b \ \ b$
$f \ \ f \ \ f$

$4 = 3+1 \Rightarrow b=f+1$

If two bees land on each flower, one flower will be left. Find the number of bees and the number of flower in the garden.

$bb \ \ bb$
$f \ \ f \ \ f$

$\frac{1}{2}(4) = 3 - 1 \Rightarrow \frac{1}{2}(b) = f - 1$
• April 9th 2010, 05:48 AM
guest84
I am not sure who e-mailed it. It came from the website in the form of a notification.

I greatly appreciate the help!