Question

Julie went to the post office and bought both 41-cent stamps and 26-cent postcards. She spent $51.40. The number of stamps was 20 more than twice the number of postcards. How many of each did she buy?

stamps= ? postcards= ?

Answer 1

Julie bought 40 postcards and 100 stamps.

Explanation:

Write the equation by adding the total values of each item.

0.41 (2p+20)+0.26p = 51.40

We can solve this equation for p to find the number of postcards.

0.41(2p+20)+0.26p =51.40

0.82p+8.20+0.26p=51.40

1.08p=43.2

p=40

So, the number of postcards she bought is 40. Since the number of 41-cent stamps is 20 more than twice the number of postcards, the number of 41-cent stamps is 2(40)+20=100.

Answer 2

Stamps = 100, Postcards = 40

100 x 0.41 cents + 40 x 0.26 cents = $41 + $10.4 = $51.4

------ Solution-----

$0.41 x STAMPS + $0.26 x POSTCARDS = $51.4

1 STAMP = 20 + 2 x POSTCARDS

$0.41 x (20 + 2 x POSTCARDS) + $0.26 POSTCARDS = $51.4

POSTCARDS = 40

STAMPS = 20 + 2 x 40 = 100