SOLUTION: Solve by using 2 unknowns: I have $1.60 in nickels and dimes. If the nickels had been pennies and the dimes had been quarters, then I would have $1.70. How many nickels and dimes

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Coins -> SOLUTION: Solve by using 2 unknowns: I have $1.60 in nickels and dimes. If the nickels had been pennies and the dimes had been quarters, then I would have $1.70. How many nickels and dimes       Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 827181: Solve by using 2 unknowns:
I have $1.60 in nickels and dimes. If the nickels had been pennies and the dimes had been quarters, then I would have $1.70. How many nickels and dimes do I actually have?
Start with 5n+10d=160
Answer by josgarithmetic(39618) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The second part, "if", means different coefficients.
Pennies, 0.01 dollar per coin or 1 cent per coin;
Quarters, 0.25 dollar per coin or 25 cents per coin.

You already have your counts, n and d. Now, each counts some other coin value, but still the same n and d.
Keeping the equation in cents, 1%2An%2B25%2Ad=170.

System to solve is:
n+25d=170 and 5n+10d=160


------
Simplify the "160" equation by multiplying left and right sides by (1/5) to have n+2d=32