Math Genesis please help me!!?

Question

Question: It is your mission to determine how many people and animals were at the Christmas post card area.

The Christmas season has begun. I walked into the mall and saw christmas decorations everywhere. In the main court there were many people lined up to have their picture taken and made into post cards. There was a Santa Claus several elves (helpers), and a small herd of reindeer. I counted a total of 15 heads and a combination of 46 legs (feet and hooves).

People and reindeers walk differently.

Answer 1

x+y = 15
2x + 4y = 46

-4x + -4y = -60

-2x = -14

x=7

so there are 7 people and 8 reindeer

Answer 2

E = number of elves
R = number of reindeer
S = 1 = number of Santa
P = number of people

E+R+S+P = H = 15 = total number of heads
2(E+S+P) = N total number of biped legs/feet
4(R) = M total number of quadraped legs/hooves

N+M = L = 46 total legs; so that 2(E+S+P) + 4R = 46 = 2(15 - R) + 4R = 30 + 2R; so that 16 = 2R and R = 8 reindeer.

From E+R+S+P = H = 15 = E+8+1+P = E+P+9; so that E+P = 6 elves and people, plus S = 1 Santa.

Given there are four unknowns (E,R,S,P) and only three independent equations, I was unable to separate the elves from the people.

Answer 3

set up a system of equations
E + R = 14 (15 - 1 because there is only one santa)
2(elves have 2 legs)E + 4(raindeer have 4 legs)R = 44 ( minus 2 because santa walks on two feet)
multiply the top equation by a negative two

(-2)E + (-2)R = -28
2E + 4 R = 44

add and subtact

2R = 16

divid by 2

R = 8

plug R back into the first equation

E + 8 = 14
subtact 8
E = 6

so the answer is 7 people (6 elves and 1 santa) and 8 raindeer

Answer 4

R = # of reindeer
P = # of people

1) R + P = 15 {# of heads}
2) 4R + 2P = 46 {# of legs}

Solve eq 1 for R and substitute into eq 2

1) R + P = 15
R = 15 - P

2) 4R + 2P = 46
4(15 - P) + 2P = 46
60 - 4P + 2P = 46
- 2P = - 14
P = 7

R = 15 - P
R = 15 - 7
R = 8

Check
4R + 2P = 46
4(8) + 2(7) = 46
32 + 14 = 46
46 = 46

7 People, 8 reindeer

Answer 5

Is that what they call smart people these days? Genesis?