Question 224987
Let {{{n}}} = number of nickels she had
Let {{{d}}} = number of dimes she had
given:
(1) {{{n = d - 5}}}
(2) {{{5n + 10d = 5540}}} (in cents)
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Rewrite (1)
(1) {{{n - d = -5}}}
Multiply both sides by {{{10}}}
(1) {{{10n - 10d = -50}}}
Now add to (2)
(2) {{{5n + 10d = 5540}}}
(1) {{{10n - 10d = -50}}}
{{{15n = 5490}}}
{{{n = 366}}}
and
(1) {{{n = d - 5}}}
{{{366 = d - 5}}}
{{{d = 366 + 5}}}
{{{d = 371}}}
Sue had 366 nickels and 371 dimes
check answer
She has 5 fewer nickels than dimes
(2) {{{5n + 10d = 5540}}}
{{{5*366 + 10*371 = 5540}}}
{{{1830 + 3710 = 5540}}}
{{{5540 = 5540}}}
OK