Question:

Tim counted 24 mole rats in an exhibit at the zoo. Then he realized that he forgot to count x mole rats.

A. Write an expression to represent the number of mole rats in the exhibit. Why is this the correct expression?

B. Suppose a sign next to the exhibit says that there are 36 mole rats. What is the value of x? Explain your reasoning.

C. Now that you know there are 36 mole rats in the exhibit, write an expression to represent the number of mole rats that Tim counted. Use x in the expression.