document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=169591>Question 169591</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Would you rather have a kilometer of quarters or a kilometer of dimes? (in a straight line, with the heads up). How much better is your choice?<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #124964 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=gonzo><B>gonzo(654)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-11.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=gonzo><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=124964\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> i would rather have a kilometer of quarters.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "here's why:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "in order for me to break even, the diameter of the quarter needs to be 2.5 times the diameter of the dime.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "assume the diameter of the quarter is 2.5 and the diameter of the dime is 1.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "then 2.5 dimes fit into 1 quarter and i break even.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "assume the diameter of the quarter is 3 and the diameter of the dime is 1.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "then 3 dimes fit into 1 quarter so i get 30 cents from the dimes and only 25 cents from the quarter.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "if the diameter of the quarter is more than 2.5 times the diameter of the dime, then i make more money on the dime.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "if the diameter of the quarter is less than 2.5 times the diameter of the dime, then i make more money on the quarter.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "the actual diameter of a quarter is 24.26 mm.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "the actual diameter of a dime is 17.91 mm.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "the ratio is less than 2.5 so the quarter is a better deal since i can only fit 24.26 / 17.91 = 1.35 dimes into a quarter (length only).<BR>\n" );
document.write( "this proves out in actual practice.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "1 km is equal to 1 million mm<BR>\n" );
document.write( "1 million mm / 24.26 = 41220 quarters * .25 = $10,305.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "1 million mm / 17.91 = 55835 dimes * .10 = $5,583.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "quarters win by a long shot.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "the assumption here is that they are lying on their tail side so the thickness of the coin is not a factor.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "my choice is a lot better.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "$10,305 for the quarters versus $5,583 for the dimes.<BR>\n" );
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