Question 994390
Joe Bob was amazed when he opened the drawer because it contained 173 coins whose value was $11.25. If all coins were either nickels or quarters, how many of each were in the drawer? 
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Quantity:: n + q = 173 coins
Value::   5n+25q = 1125 cents
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Modify for elimination::
n + q = 173
n + 5q = 225
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Subtract and solve for "q":
4q = 52
q = 13 (# of quarters)
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n = 173 -13 = 160 (# of nickels)
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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