Cows and Chickens I

For x cows and y hen, the equation is 4x + 2y = 1022 2x + y = 511 Now, we see that on increase of y by 2, x gets reduced by 1. So, for minimum number of animals, we find solution at minimum y. Minimum of positive y is 1, at which x is 255. So answer is 256 animals.

If we had to find maximum animals, we would have found solution at maximum y. It would have been 511.

To make the number of animals as low as possible, assume all animals are cows.

1022/4=255.5

However you can't have half a cow, so leave it at 255 cows. There would still be 2 extra legs since 255*4=1020. Thus, there is 1 chicken.

255+1= $\boxed {256}$

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