Let the number of ivy, nightshade and triffid plants be i, n and t
respectively. Then:
2i + 9n + 12t = 120 and i + n+ t = 20, where i > 0; n > 0; t > 0. Multiplying the second equation by 2 and subtracting the new equation from the
first:
7n + 10t=80
Thus 7n = 10(8-t) Therefore n is a multiple of 10 and since 1 £ n < 20, n=10
Hence 8-t=7 and therefore t=1