Final answer:
To represent the value of Stella's dimes and quarters as an inequality, use 0.10d + 0.25q ≤ 4, ensuring the total does not exceed $4.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stella has d dimes and q quarters. To express the situation where the total value of Stella's coins is at most $4, we can write an inequality. A dime is worth $0.10, and a quarter is worth $0.25. Therefore, the value of d dimes is $0.10d and the value of q quarters is $0.25q. The inequality representing the condition that Stella has at most $4 is:
0.10d + 0.25q ≤ 4
This inequality ensures that the total amount of money, when calculated using the number of dimes and quarters, does not exceed $4. Solving this inequality will give us all the possible combinations of dimes and quarters that satisfy the given condition.