Question

There were 127 birds on the endangered species list in some year. This is more than twice the number of reptiles on the list. How many reptiles were on the endangered species list in this​ year?

Answer 1

r = number of reptiles on the endangered species list

2r = twice that number

2r < 127 since the 127 is more than twice the number of reptiles

Solve for r by dividing both sides by 2

2r < 127

r < 127/2

r < 63.5

If r is a positive whole number, then r could be anything from this set: {1, 2, 3, ..., 62, 63}

Unfortunately there isn't enough information to fully pin down what r is.

I would ask your teacher for further clarification.