You first want to make the word problem into equations!
Let x represent large dogs
Let y represent small dogs.
10x+5y=215
And now since you are given the value of x / the number of dogs you can solve by subbing this value into the equation.
10(17)+5y=215
170+5y=215
5y=215-170
5y5=45/5
y=9
So as you can see there are 9 small dogs at the shelter!
Explanation #2
In the word problem you can see that it tells you that there is 17 large dogs. It also tells you that in total all the dogs (so large and small) will be $215. It also says the prices of the dogs!
So what you know is : 17 large dogs, $215 total, $5 for a small dog, $10 for a large dog!
In order to figure out how many small dogs are at the shelter you will need to make this information into an equation!
Since it is 10/ large dog this is 10x
Since it is 5/small dog this is 5y
So now you know that 10x+5y=215
Since you are given the # of large dogs, you can put in that number for x
10(17)+5y=215
170+5y=215 Step 1) Multiply 10 x 17
5y=215-170 Step 2) Move everything without a letter to one side
5y/5=45/5 Step 3) Divide by 5 (Both sides!) to get the y all alone
y=9 Step 4) All done!
