One shepherd said to another Give me eight sheep and we'll have an equal number The other answered No you give me eight sheep and then I will have twice as many as you How many sheep did each?

Answer 1

Well, well, well, looks like we've got some sheep shenanigans going on here. If we cut through the wool, it's simple math. The first shepherd has 16 sheep, and the second shepherd has 24 sheep. Looks like someone's trying to pull the wool over someone's eyes!

Answer 2

The easiest way to solve this is with a systems of equations where the first shepherd's quantity is represented by X and the second shepherd's quantity is represented by Y.

1) X + 8 = Y - 8
2) 2(X - 8) = Y + 8

When you solve the first equation, Y = X + 16. When you plug this into the second equation you have:

2X - 16 = X + 16 + 8

We simplify this to: X = 16 + 16 + 8 = 40 and therefore if Y = X + 16, Y = 56.

Answer 3

The answer is 40 and 56. 40+8=48, 56-8=48. 40-8=32, 56+8=64.