SOLUTION: Arnold collects stamps and coins. The number of coins he has is 3 times more than half the number of stamps. If he has 51 stamps and coins altogether, how many stamps and coins doe

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Question 746044: Arnold collects stamps and coins. The number of coins he has is 3 times more than half the number of stamps. If he has 51 stamps and coins altogether, how many stamps and coins does he have?
I'm having trouble figuring out how to set up the equation.
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +s+ = number of stamps he has
Let +c+ = number of coins he has
given:
(1) +c+=+3%2A%28s%2F2%29+
(2) +c+%2B+s+=+51+
-----------------
Substitute (1) into (2)
(2) +3%2A%28s%2F2%29+%2B+s+=+51+
Multiply both sides by +2+
(2) +3s+%2B+2s+=+102+
(2) +5s+=+102+
----------------
This doesn't work out to a whole number
of stamps. I suspect that the problem should read:
The number of coins he has is 3 more than half the number of stamps.
and not
The number of coins he has is 3 TIMES more than half the number of stamps.
If that is so,
(1) +c+=+s%2F2+%2B+3+
(2) +c+%2B+s+=+51+
Substitute (1) into (2)
(2) +s%2F2+%2B+3+%2B+s+=+51+
(2) +s+%2B+s%2F2+=+48+
(2) +2s+%2B+s+=+96+
(2) +3s+=+96+
(2) +s+=+32+
and
(2) +c+%2B+s+=+51+
(2) +c+%2B+32+=+51+
(2) +c+=+19+
He has 19 coins and 32 stamps