We define the variables first: x = number of male cousins y = number of females cousins We write the system of equations: x + y = 9 x = y-2 We solve the system: Equation 1: x + y = 9 (y-2) + y = 9 2y-2 = 9 y = 11/2 = 5.5 Equation 2: x = 5.5-2 x = 3.5 Answer: Although physically it does not make sense, mathematically the answer is: number of male cousins = 3.5 number of females cousins = 5.5
