What was the person that wrote this problem thinking?

Minoosh said:
"Mr. Jeans raises cows (x) and chickens (y) on his farm. Altogether, his cows (x) and chickens (y) have 140 legs. This can be represented by the function 4x + 2y = 12."
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That's not a function. It is an equation.
 
Could one answer the question that there is no intercept? The set up is that he raises at least one of each type of animal (raises cows AND chickens). (1,68) and (69,2) are the end points of the line segments. Has to have at least one of each.
 
Little 10 Toes said:
Could one answer the question that there is no intercept? The set up is that he raises at least one of each type of animal (raises cows AND chickens). (1,68) and (69,2) are the end points of the line segments. Has to have at least one of each.
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You're over thinking it. It's a simple math problem obfuscated by words. Not a misleading riddle.
 
Little 10 Toes said:
Could one answer the question that there is no intercept? The set up is that he raises at least one of each type of animal (raises cows AND chickens). (1,68) and (69,2) are the end points of the line segments. Has to have at least one of each.
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theprestige said:
You're over thinking it. It's a simple math problem obfuscated by words. Not a misleading riddle.
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The words are misleading though. One could even argue that the question implies at least two of each type of animal are present on the farm, since the plural form was used for both.

As jt512 pointed out, there is no "function", it's an equation.

https://www.britannica.com/science/function-mathematics

Function, in mathematics, an expression, rule, or law that defines a relationship between one variable (the independent variable) and another variable (the dependent variable).
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In the given variable, 4x + 2y = 12 140, both variables are on one side of the equation. You could restate it as 4x - 140 = -2y to make it into a function. You could add as boundary conditions X > 1, y > 1.
 
Puppycow said:
The words are misleading though.
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Yes, and we know from context and experience that this means it is a poorly-written math problem, not a well-formed riddle.

We know we're supposed to solve it as a math problem, not a riddle. Nobody looks at a book of math problems and says, "I get it! It's a trick question! There are no intercepts!" You help your students solve for the intercepts, and complain to the publisher about the low quality of their product.

One could even argue that the question implies at least two of each type of animal are present on the farm, since the plural form was used for both.
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Like Saint Paul once said, for me all things are permitted, but not all things serve my purpose. Sure, you could argue this, but unless you're trying to get to the center of the labyrinth to rescue your brother from the Fairy King, why on earth would you? Just finish your math homework so you can go play.
 
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And even if the cows have 4 legs and the chickens 2, any farm with a grand total of 140 legs is too small to be profitable in today's big agribusiness world! Mr. Jeans would have either been forced to sell out or gone bankrupt by now!
 
What about lame chickens? Mutants maybe, or simply generally lame?

Yeah I did say lame, didn't I? Twice. Lame or not, it's still the second best explanation, after typo.
 
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