Silentlunch

The answer is 9 for those of you who think that 9 cows have died it isn't 9 who have died if you change but to except it makes more sense "a farmer has 17 cows, all except 9 died, how many cows remain?" That would make more sense it's the way it's worded that confuses everyone all of the cows BUT 9 have died so only 9 remain or are left.