Question

Malik has $1.75 worth of nickels and dimes. He has twice as many dimes as nickels. Determine the number of nickels and the number of dimes that Malik has.​

Answer 1

Let's use algebra to solve the problem.

We should start by finding the number of nickels. So, x is the value of a penny, where 5x is the value of a nickel. We know that the value of the dime is 10, but there are twice the number of dimes, so we can use 20x to talk about the number of dimes. Convert the total worth to cents, so 1.75 dollars is 175 cents.

So we get, 5x + 20x = 175.

Now just simplify, 25x = 175

Divide both sides by 25 to get, x=7

Almost done, now we know there are 7 nickels, and since there are twice as amny dimes, 7x2 = 14, so there are 14 dimes.

Redo the math, 14 dimes x 10 cents = 140 + (7 nickels x 5 cents) = 175 cents or $1.75.

I hope this helps! :)