.
cindy has 17 bills in her wallet. some are $10 bills and some are $20 bills. the total value of the bills are $230.
how many $10 bills and how many $20 bills does she have?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Let x = # of $10 bills, and y = # of $20 bills.
Then you have the system of two equations in two unknowns
x + y = 17, (1)
10x + 20y = 230. (2)
Express x via y from equation (1): x = 17 - y, and substitute it into equation (2). You will get a single equation for y
10*(17-y) + 20y = 230.
Now simplify and solve:
170 - 10y + 20y = 230,
10y = 230 - 170 = 60.
y = = 6.
Then x = 17 - y = 17 - 6 = 11.
Answer. 11 $10 bills and 6 $20 bills.