Let:
* 'b' represent the original number of bluegill
* 'c' represent the original number of catfish
We know:
* b + c = 75 (The total number of fish)
We also know that if we double the bluegill and triple the catfish, the total would be 175:
* 2b + 3c = 175
Now we have two equations and two unknowns, so we can solve for 'b' and 'c':
1. Solve for 'b' in the first equation:
b = 75 - c
2. Substitute this value of 'b' into the second equation:
2(75 - c) + 3c = 175
3. Simplify and solve for 'c':
150 - 2c + 3c = 175
c = 25
4. Substitute the value of 'c' back into the equation b = 75 - c:
b = 75 - 25
b = 50
Therefore:
* There were originally 50 bluegill in the pond.
* There were originally 25 catfish in the pond.