Question

A cash register has 5 times as many quarters as nickels, 2 fewer dimes than nickels, and 30 pennies. All together, the cash register contains $8.50 in change. How many nickels are in the cash register?

Answer 1

6 nickels

Explanation:

We'll let x=number of nickels in register

Then 5x=number of quarters

and (x-2)=number of dimes

and 30=number of pennies

Whatever monetary units we deal in (pennies, nickels, dollars, etc.), we have to be consistent. I choose to deal in pennies.

Now we know that the amt of money in nickels (x)(5)plus the amt of money in dimes(x-2)(10)plus the amt of money in quarters (5x)(25) plus the pennies (30) has to equal 850. (Remember, we are dealing in pennies). Thus, our equation to solve is:

5x+10(x-2)+5x(25)+30=850 Simplifying, we get:

5x+10x-20+125x+30=850 further simplifying, we get:

140x=840

x=6 nickels

5x=(5)(6)=30 quarters

and, of course, 30 cents

x-2=6-2=4 dimes

Hope this helps you! :)