SOLUTION: The number of 5p coins in a money box is 2 less than three times the number of 10p coins. If the total value of the coins is £4.40, how many 5p coins are there in the box?

Question 1189232: The number of 5p coins in a money box is 2 less than three times the number of 10p coins. If the total value of the coins is £4.40, how many 5p coins are there in the box?
Answer by greenestamps(13200) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Informally....

(You can get some good mental exercise by solving a problem like this using logical reasoning and mental arithmetic)

(1) Add two more 5p coins, to make the number of 5p coins exactly 3 times the number of 10p coins, and making the total value £4.50 = 450p
(2) Group the coins in groups of one 10p coin and three 5p coins, with a total value of 25p for each group
(3) The number of those groups needed to make 450p is 450/25 = 18
(4) The number of 10p coins is 18; the number of 5p coins is 3(18) = 54
(5) Take away the "extra" two 5p coins, leaving 52

ANSWER: 52 5p coins

CHECK: 52(5)+18(10)=260+180=440

Using formal algebra....

let x = # of 10p coins
then 3x-2 = # of 5p coins

The total value is 440p:

ANSWER: 3x-2 = 54-2 = 52

RELATED QUESTIONS
The number of 5p coins in a money box is two less than three times the number of 10p... (answered by macston)

In Tim's money box, he has three types of coins : $2 coins, $5 coins and $10 coins. The... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)

A money box contains one-rupee and two-rupee coins in the ratio 5:6. If the total value... (answered by TimothyLamb)

a coins collection consists of 4, 2, and 3 cent coins. the number of 2 cent coin is one... (answered by wuwei96815)

a coins collection consists of 4, 2, and 3 cent coins. the number of 2 cent coin is one (answered by venugopalramana)

A coin purse contains 5 centavos, 10 centavos and 25 centavo coins. The number of 10... (answered by josmiceli)

Hi box A contains 1 dollar coins, box B contains 50c coins and box C 20c coins. Box A... (answered by solver91311)

A bag contains 5p.l0p and Rs 2op coins in the ratio 4:2:1 respectively. If the total... (answered by Fombitz)

There is a number of $2 and $5 coins. It is known that 1/3 of the number of $2 coins is... (answered by mananth)