Problema Solution

Benedita has a jar containing 55 coins. Some are dimes, and the rest are nickels. If the value of the coins is $4.50, how many dimes does she have?

Answer provided by our tutors

1 nickel = 5 cents

1 dime = 10 cents

Let

n = the number of nickels, n>=0, n is integer

d = the number of dimes, d>=0, d is integer

Benedita has a jar containing 55 coins:

n + d = 55

The value of the coins is $4.50 = 450 cents:

5n + 10d = 450

We have the following system of equations:

n + d = 55

5n + 10d = 450

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click here to see the system of equations solved for d and n

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d = 35 dimes

n = 20 nickles

Benedita has 20 nickles and 35 dimes.