Answer:
The biologist collected 60 fern samples.
Step-by-step explanation:
This question can be solved by a system of equations.
I am going to say that:
x is the number of fern samples collected
y is the number of moss samples collected
A biologist collected 230 fern and moss samples.
This means that [tex]x + y = 230[/tex]
There were 110 fewer ferns than moss samples.
This means that [tex]x = y - 110[/tex]
How many fern samples did the biologist collect?
we want to find x
[tex]x + y = 230[/tex]
[tex]x = y - 110[/tex]
From the second equation
[tex]y = x + 110[/tex]
Replacing in the first equation
[tex]x + x + 110 = 230[/tex]
[tex]2x = 120[/tex]
[tex]x = \frac{120}{2}[/tex]
[tex]x = 60[/tex]
The biologist collected 60 fern samples.
