Question 1099859:  A box contains $7.10 in nickels, dimes, and quarters. There are 42 coins in all, and the sum of the numbers of nickels and dimes is 2 less than the number of quarters. How many coins of each kind are there? 
 Found 2 solutions by  ikleyn, richwmiller: Answer by ikleyn(52903)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! . 
Let Q be the number of quarters.
Then the number of nickels and dimes is (42-Q), and the condition says that 
this number (42-Q) is 2 less than Q.
It gives you an equation 
42 - Q = Q - 2,  which implies
2Q = 42 - 2 = 40  and  then  Q =   = 20.
So, we have 20 quarters that sum up to 20*25 = 5 dollars.
Taking these 20 quarters away, we have 42-20 = 22 coins that are nickels and dimes and worth 710 - 500 = 210 cents.
If you think one minute on it, you will find the solution MENTALLY: 20 dimes and 2 nickels.
Answer.  20 quarters, 20 dimes and 2 nickels.
 
 
 
        The key to the solution of this problem is to choose the leading unknown correctly.
 
 
 
 
 Answer by richwmiller(17219)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! 42 - q = q - 2 
add 2 to both sides 
44-q=q 
add q to both sides 
44=2q 
q=22 quarters 
22 q=$5.50 
42-22=20 more coins 
7.10-5.50=$1.60 
160=5n+10d 
n+d=20 
n=20-d 
160=5(20-d)+10d 
160=100-5d+10d 
60=5d 
d=12 dimes 
n=8 nickels 
q=22 quarters 
22=12+8+2
 
22*.25=5.50 
8*.05=.40 
12*.10=1.20 
5.50+.40+1.20=7.10 
12+8+22=42 
The sum of the numbers of nickels and dimes (20) is 2 LESS than the number of quarters (22) 
20 is less than 22
 
ok
 
checking other tutors answers 
20 quarters, 20 dimes and 2 nickels 
20 *.25=5.00 
20 *.10=2.00 
2 *.05=.10 
5.00+2.00+.10=$7.10 ok 
The sum of the numbers of nickels and dimes (22) is 2 LESS (not more) than the number of quarters (20) 
22 is more than 20 
20 quarters, 20 dimes and 2 nickels does NOT satisfy the condition.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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