You can put this solution on YOUR website! Emily has a total of 20 dimes and nickels. The total amount she has is $1.60. How many of each coin does she have?
Let the number of nickels be x
Then the number of dimes, using
ONE PART = TOTAL MINUS OTHER PART,
is 20-x.
Value Value
Type Number of of
of of EACH ALL
coin coins coin coins
-------------------------------------------
NICKELS x $0.05 $0.05x
DIMES 20-x $0.10 $0.10(20-x)
-------------------------------------------
TOTALS 20 ----- $1.60
The equation comes from the column on the right
0.05x + 0.10(20-x) = 1.60
Get rid of decimals by multiplying every term by 100
5x + 10(20-x) = 160
5x + 200 - 10x = 160
-5x + 200 = 160
-5x = -40
x = 8 = the number of nickels
The number of dimes is 20-x or 20-8 or 12 dimes.
Checking: 8 nickels is $0.40 and 12 dimes is $1.20
And indeed $0.40+$1.20 = $1.60.
Edwin
