Amidst the sea of conjectures, the true nature of the problem emerged. It wasn’t merely a matter of arithmetic but a test of logical deduction. The teacher went to the school district to get the answer. It was not as simple as it initially appeared.

After days of speculation and contemplation, the answer emerged from an unexpected source—the school district. With a drumroll of anticipation, the truth was finally unveiled: 6.5 large dogs and 42.5 small dogs.

The solution, though seemingly unorthodox, stemmed from a meticulous application of algebraic principles. Here is how the exact math went:
Here’s the math behind the problem. What you’re doing is trying to solve for x. Think of large dogs as “x” and small dogs as “y.”
49 = x+y and y = x+36
So, combine the two equations and you get:
49 = x + x+36
49 = 2x + 36
13 = 2x
x = 6.5
y = 42.5

Conclusion: Lessons Learned and Puzzles Solved

In the annals of childhood homework assignments, Angie Warner’s saga stands as a testament to the unforeseen challenges that can lurk beneath seemingly innocuous questions. Yet, amidst the confusion and frustration lies a valuable lesson—the importance of perseverance and critical thinking in unraveling life’s puzzles, whether they be mathematical or metaphorical.