SOLUTION: Hello :) A collection of 56 coins has a value of $4.00. The collection contains nickles and dimes. Find the number of dimes in the collection. What I have tried: I made a cha

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Question 556486: Hello :)
A collection of 56 coins has a value of $4.00. The collection contains nickles and dimes. Find the number of dimes in the collection.
What I have tried:
I made a chart
Value Quantity Total Value
.5 x .5x
.10 56-x .10(56-x)
.5x(56-x).10= 4.00

I think I messing something up here because I know I am supposed to have 24 dimes but I most definitely not getting that.
Any help is greatly appreciated :)
Found 2 solutions by scott8148, josmiceli:
Answer by scott8148(6628) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
5n + 10d = 400

n + d = 56 ___ multiplying by -5 ___ -5n - 5d = -280

adding equations to eliminate n ___ 5n + 10d - 5n - 5d = 400 - 280 ___ 5d = 120 ___ d = 24

Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This problem requires trial and error because
1 piece of information is given and 2 things are unknown
If 56 coins were all dimes, I have $5.60
If I have 46 dimes and 10 nickels, I have
$4.60 + $.50 = $5.10
If I have 36 dimes and 20 nickels, I have
$3.60 + $1.00 = $4.60
If I have 26 dimes and 30 nickels, I have
$2.60 + $1.50 = $4.10
If I have 25 dimes and 31 nickels, I have
$2.50 + $1.55 = $4.05
If I have 24 dimes and 32 nickels, I have
$2.40 + $1.60 = $4.00
There are 24 dimes