document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1176182>Question 1176182</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> In Jacks piggy bank, there is a collection of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters which amounts to $2.87. The number of quarters is one less than twice the number of nickels. There are 4 more pennies than nickels. The number of dimes is twice the number of pennies. How many coins of each kind are there?  </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #802480 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><B>greenestamps(13200)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><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/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=greenestamps><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=802480\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "You could solve this using 4 variables, one for the number of each type of coin.  But I think it is far easier if you take the time to understand the given information to set up the problem using a single variable.  Then you will have a single equation to solve, rather than a system of 4 equations with 4 variables.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "The way I read the given information, it will be easiest to use the number of nickels as our variable.  So<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = number of nickels<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2x-1 = number of quarters  (1 less than twice the number of nickels)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x+4 = number of pennies  (4 more than the number of nickels)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2(x+4) = 2x+8 = number of dimes  (twice the number of pennies)<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Use those expressions and the value of each kind of coin to write and solve an equation that says the total value of the coins is $2.87, or 287 cents:<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "5(x)+25(2x-1)+1(x+4)+10(2x+8) = 287<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "5x + 50x-25 + x+4 + 20x+80 = 287<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "76x+59 = 287<BR>\n" );
document.write( "76x = 228<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = 3<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "ANSWERS: The number of each type of coin is<BR>\n" );
document.write( "nickels: x = 3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "quarters: 2x-1 = 5<BR>\n" );
document.write( "pennies: x+4 = 7<BR>\n" );
document.write( "dimes: 2x+8 = 14<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "CHECK: 3(5)+5(25)+7(1)+14(10) = 15+125+7+140 = 287<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );