Basic algebra word problem: Number of sheep? A farmer raises sheep and chickens at his farm. The number of sheep is $\frac{1}{3}$ the number of chickens. There are $96$ fewer sheep legs than chicken legs. How many sheep are there at the farm? My work: Number of sheep = $S$ Number of Chickens = $C$ We know that there is one third of sheep than chickens. so, $\frac{1}{3}S = C$ We know that there are 96 fewer sheep legs than chicken leg. so, $2C = 4S - 96$ I got stuck here.

You need to change your first equation. If the number of sheep is $\frac{1}{3}$ the number of chicken then $3S = C$.

Also in your second equation, the $-$ needs to be a $+$ because if there are fewer sheep legs than chickens then you'll need to add 96 on the sheep value.

Then combine the equations and you'll get the answer.