On a cold winter’s night that was so deep, the poor shepherds lay huddled amongst their sheep. If there were 100 heads and 300 legs in the field, how many sheep did the shepherds have?

The First Noel The first Noel the angles did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Details and assumptions

A sheep has 4 legs, a shepherd has 2 legs.

• Since there is 100 heads if all were sheep then 400 legs must be there but since are 300 legs that is 100 less legs to complete 400 so, 100 legs are of humans so 200 legs of sheep 100 of humans. 200/4=50 100/2=50. ans: 50 sheeps
• 9 years agoHelpfull: Yes(1) No(0)
• let no of men=x , let no of sheep=y
  x+y=100
  2x+4y=300
  on solving we get x=50 and y=50
  no of sheep=50
• 9 years agoHelpfull: Yes(0) No(0)