An animal shelter had
\[12\] fewer cats than their capacity. Then they received
\[18\] stray cats. They need families to adopt some cats right away to get back to their capacity.
Which of the following equations matches the situation above?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A)
\[12-18-{?}=0\]
A
\[12-18-{?}=0\]
(Choice B)
\[-12-18+{?}=0\]
B
\[-12-18+{?}=0\]
(Choice C)
\[-12+18-{?}=0\]
C
\[-12+18-{?}=0\]
The animal shelter initially had 12 fewer cats than their capacity, so the number of cats they had was their capacity minus 12.
After receiving 18 stray cats, the number of cats they have is their initial number of cats (capacity - 12) plus 18.
To find the number of cats they need families to adopt to get back to their capacity, we subtract their current number of cats from their capacity.
The equation that matches the situation above is:
\[(\text{capacity} - 12) + 18 - (\text{current number of cats}) = 0\]
Simplifying this equation, we get:
\[-12 + 18 - (\text{current number of cats}) = 0\]
Therefore, the correct equation is:
\[-12 + 18 - (\text{current number of cats}) = 0\]
Choice C matches the situation:
\[-12 + 18 - (\text{current number of cats}) = 0\]