A caterpillar has twice as many legs as a spider. Together, they have 24 legs. How many legs does the spider have? How many legs does the caterpillar have?

Caterpillar = 2x

Spider = x

2x + x = 24

3x = 24

x = 8

Spider have 8 legs
Caterpillar have 16 legs

s + 2s = 24

3s = 24

s = 8

To solve this problem, let's assign variables to represent the number of legs on the spider and the caterpillar. Let's say the number of legs on the spider is 's' and the number of legs on the caterpillar is 'c'.

From the given information, we know that the caterpillar has twice as many legs as the spider. In equation form, this can be written as:

c = 2s ---(Equation 1)

We also know that together, the spider and the caterpillar have 24 legs. In equation form, this can be written as:

s + c = 24 ---(Equation 2)

Now we have a system of two equations with two variables. To solve this system, we can use substitution or elimination method.

Let's use substitution method here. We can substitute the value of 'c' from Equation 1 into Equation 2:

s + (2s) = 24

Simplifying this equation, we get:

3s = 24

Now, divide both sides of the equation by 3:

(3s)/3 = 24/3

s = 8

So, the spider has 8 legs.

Now, substitute this value of 's' back into Equation 1 to find 'c':

c = 2s
c = 2(8)
c = 16

Therefore, the caterpillar has 16 legs.

In conclusion, the spider has 8 legs and the caterpillar has 16 legs.