SOLUTION: This question is from my beginning algebra textbook and I have tried it two different ways and still can't seem to come up with the right answer. Here is the problem: In January

Question 223019: This question is from my beginning algebra textbook and I have tried it two different ways and still can't seem to come up with the right answer.
Here is the problem: In January 2006 U.S. first-class mail rates increased to 39 cents for the first ounce, plus 24 cents for each additional ounce. If Sabrina spent $15.00 for a total of 45 stamps of these two denominations, how many stamps of each denomination did she buy?
I used x for the 39 cent stamps and x-15 for the 24 cent stamps and have tried to work it out like this: x+x-15+45, that didn't work so I tried it this way: x+x-15=$15.00 and that didn't work either. I know the answer is 28 39 cent stamps and 17 24 cent stamps but I like to know how to work them out because I learn better that way. Please help me to work it out the right way.
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This question is from my beginning algebra textbook and I have tried it two different ways and still can't seem to come up with the right answer.
Here is the problem: In January 2006 U.S. first-class mail rates increased to 39 cents for the first ounce, plus 24 cents for each additional ounce. If Sabrina spent $15.00 for a total of 45 stamps of these two denominations, how many stamps of each denomination did she buy?
-----------------
Quantity Equation: r + t = 45
Value Equation::::39r+24t = 1500 cents
------------------------------------
Multiply thru the 1st by 39 to get
39r + 39t = 39*45
---
Subtract that from the Value equation and solve for "t":
-15t = -255
t = 17 (# of twenty-four cent stamps)
-----------
Sinse r + t = 45, r = 45-17 = 28 (# of 39 cent stamps)
============================================================
Cheers,
Stan H.

RELATED QUESTIONS
I am not very good with Algebra. My question is: Add. -3 + (-4) + (+12) I do not... (answered by tutorcecilia)

this problem is from the beginning algebra book I need help to graph this linear... (answered by adamchapman)

what can I do to get a hold of this algebra I cannot seem to learn the basics of linear... (answered by edjones)

I have tried to solve this using several equations, none seem to work. The one that I... (answered by edjones)

Hello, I am not really sure where to put this question...what topic it would fall... (answered by nerdybill,edjones)

[(tanx-cotx)/(tanx+cotx)]+ 2cos^2x = 1 I have tried 2 different ways so far and I... (answered by nshah11)

Two jets are in New Orleans. One jet is leaving at 45 mph. The other is leaving at 90 mph (answered by stanbon)

Let P be the vector space of polynomials in "t" with real coefficients. Show that the... (answered by acerX)

Hi I hope you can help. My question is 5(2x-1)=4(4-x) I know the answer to this but I... (answered by stanbon)