SOLUTION: I am working on Systems of Equations. Jackie bought some stamps for $15.16. Some were 26 cent stamps and soe were 41 cent stamps. She bought 41 stamps in all. How many of each s

Algebra.Com
Question 365772: I am working on Systems of Equations.
Jackie bought some stamps for $15.16. Some were 26 cent stamps and soe were 41 cent stamps. She bought 41 stamps in all. How many of each stamp did she buy?
I have defined variables as: a=# of 26 cent stamps and b=# of 41 cent stamps
I have written out the two equations (i believe they are right but they may be the reason I can't figure out the problem): .26a+.41b=15.16
a+b=41
I have multiplied the first one by 100 to eliminate the decimals, but as I go through the problem using elimination ( that is what I was directed to use my my teacher) I end up with decimals and that can't be right as you can't have 2.121212121 stamps...
Hopefully you can help me, it would be much appreciated and thank-you. :)

Answer by scott8148(6628)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
26a + 41b = 1516

26(a + b = 41) ___ 26a + 26b = 1066

subtracting (to eliminate a) ___ 15b = 450 ___ b = 30

RELATED QUESTIONS

A postal clerk sold 75 stamps for a total of $10.85. Some of the stamps were 15-cent... (answered by stanbon)
A postal clerk sold 40 stamps for $5.40. Some were 10-cent stamps and some were 15-cent... (answered by ikleyn,amalm06)
Denise bought 50 postage stamps for which she paid $13.00. Some were 20-cent stamps and... (answered by checkley77)
John bought 75 stamps for 19.94. Some were 20 cent stamps and some were 33 cent stamps.... (answered by edjones)
Hailie bought 30 stamps for $41.94. Some of them were $3.00 stamps and the rest were... (answered by addingup)
James bought eight postage stamps for which he paid $18.40. Some were 1 cent stamps and... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)
A postal clerk sold some 13 cent stamps and some 20 cent stamps. Altogether, 60 stamps... (answered by checkley77,jojo14344)
A postal-clerk sold some 20-cent stamps and some 28-cent stamps. Altogether 160 stamps... (answered by ewatrrr)
A postal clerk sold 50 stamps for $15.84. Some were 37 cent stamps, and the rest were 23... (answered by stanbon)