Ms. Jones has 53 coins. They are all nickels and dimes. The total value of the coins is $4.00. How many nickels does she have?
+36914 n = nickels value = 5n
d = dimes = (53-n) value = 10 ( 53-n) summed, the values = 400
5n + 10(53-n) = 400 solve for 'n'
Ms. Jones has 53 coins. They are all nickels and dimes. The total value of the coins is $4.00. How many nickels does she have?
Start by noting that IF all 53 coins are dimes, then her total would be 5.30.
For every nickel she substitutes for a dime, the total goes down 5¢
She needs to reduce the total 1.30. It takes 26 nickels to make 1.30.
Check answer
So, if Ms Jones substitutes 26 nickels for 26 of the dimes,
she would end up with 27 dimes and 26 nickels.
27 dimes is 2.70
26 nickels is 1.30
total 4.00
