Finding table height from cat and tortoise equations

[chwala]

Homework Statement

see attached

Relevant Equations

simultaneous equations

My take; Let the cat's height = $c$ and the tortoise's height =$t$ and the table's height= $h$,
therefore,
$t+ (170-c)=h$
$c+(130-t)=h$. It then follows that,
$t+ (170-c)=c+(130-t)$
$2t+40=2c$
$c=20+t$,
therefore, on substituting into $t+ (170-c)=h$
$t+170-20-t=h$
$h=150$cm...
your thoughts...

 

[Lnewqban]

It should be the average of both measurements, I believe.

 

[SammyS]

View attachment 297417

My take; Let the cat's height = $c$ and the tortoise's height =$t$ and the table's height= $h$,
therefore,
$t+ (170-c)=h$
$c+(130-t)=h$. It then
. . .

your thoughts...

Simply add the equations (There was no need for parentheses.)

You get:

$170 + 130 = 2h$ .

etc.