Question

you have a total of 21 coins , all nickels and dimes. the total value is $1.70. how many nickels and how many dimes do you have?

Answer 1

Equations:
n + d = 21
5n + 10d = 170 cents
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Multiply thru the 1st equation by 5:
5n + 5d = 5*21
5n +10d = 170
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Subtract and solve for "d":
5d = 65
d = 13 (# of dimes)
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n+d = 21
n + 13 = 21
n = 8 (# of nickels)