Question 461089:  Aviva has a total of 57 coins, all of which are either dimes or nickels. The total value of the coins is $4.65. Find the number of each type of coin. 
 Answer by oberobic(2304)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! With coin problems you have to keep track of the number of coins and of their value. 
For example, 
d = number of dimes 
10d = value of the dimes in cents 
n = number of nickels 
5n = value of the nickels in cents 
. 
Given 
Aviva has $4.65, which is 465 cents. 
Aviva has only nickels and dimes, so we can restate the value. 
5n + 10d = 465 
Aviva has 57 coins in total. 
n + d = 57 
. 
So we can treat these as a system of equations. 
. 
5n + 10d = 465 
n + d = 57 
Multiply the second equation by 5 
. 
5n + 10d = 465 
5n + 5d = 285 
. 
Subtract the second equation from the first equation 
5d = 180 
Divide both sides by 5 
d = 36 
. 
Substitute 
n + d = 57 
n +36 = 57 
n = 57-36 
n = 21 
. 
Check to see if this is right. 
. 
5n = 5*21 = 105 
10d = 10*36 = 365 
105+365 = 465 
which is the right answer 
. 
Of course, you could have solved using substitution. 
. 
5n + 10d = 465 
n + d = 57 
n = 57-d 
5(57-d) +10d = 465 
285 -5d + 10d = 465 
As you can see, you get to the same answer, just in a different way. 
. 
Done. 
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