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2024 Math Kangaroo

Problem 20

Problem 20 · 2024 Math Kangaroo Stretch
Logic & Word Problems work-backward

Every day, penguin Paula catches 12 fish for her two children. Every day she gives one of her children 7 fish and the other 5 fish. After several days, one of her children has received 44 fish. How many fish did the other child receive?

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Answer: D — 52
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Hint 1 of 2
One child's daily share is sometimes 7 and sometimes 5; over all days the two children together get 12 each day.
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Hint 2 of 2
If you can find the number of days, the other child's total is just the grand total minus 44.
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Approach: find the number of days, then subtract
  1. Over d days the children share 12d fish total.
  2. One child's total 5d + 2·(number of 7-days) = 44 forces d = 8 (with 2 such days).
  3. Total fish = 12 × 8 = 96, so the other child got 96 − 44 = 52.
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