SOLUTION: I am having trouble setting up this problem: *John found a box of coins. The box contained nickels,dimes, and quarters. He added up the change and there were 85 coins totaling $

Question 41648: I am having trouble setting up this problem:
*John found a box of coins. The box contained nickels,dimes, and quarters. He added up the change and there were 85 coins totaling $6.25 in the box. If there were 3 times as many nickels as dimes, how many quarters were there?
-I came up with the equation 3x+y=85 (x=nickels, y=dimes),but this equation alone doesn't help so I think that I may need to use substitution, but I can't come up with another equation.
Please Help! Thank YOu
Answer by 303795(602) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
There are 3 nickels for each dime so (each dime + its associated 3 nickels) is worth 25 cents.
Use x for the number of dimes and y for the number of quarters
Using the value of the coins form equation 1
.25x +.25y=6.25
Multiply this equation by 4 to remove the decimals
x + y = 25
Using the number of coins form equation 2
4x+y=85
Subtract the first equation from the second to get
3x=60
so x = 20
so y (the number of quarters must be 5)
(There were 60 nickels, 20 dimes and 5 quarters (85 coins) with a value of $3.00+$2.00+$1.25=$6.25)
RELATED QUESTIONS
While cleaning out the closet, John found a box of coins. The box contained nickels,... (answered by ptaylor)

While cleaning out the closet, john found a box of coins. The box contained nickels,... (answered by checkley71)

While cleaning out the closet, john found of coins. The box contained nickels, dimes,... (answered by Edwin McCravy)

Hank has a pocketful of nickels, dimes, and quarters. He has 18 coins in all, worth... (answered by MathTherapy)

Hello, i am having problems setting up this problem that consists of coins. 1. The... (answered by stanbon,MathTherapy)

I would appreciate it very much if I could get help with this problem. A vending... (answered by richwmiller,josmiceli)

I need help please. This question was answered but I was not given full... (answered by nerdybill)

I am having trouble understanding how to do this type of problem... I know the answer of... (answered by stanbon)

Here is a word problem i am having trouble with. A coin collection contains nickels,... (answered by stanbon)