Question

Steven has a collection of nickels and dimes. In all, he has 17 coins. The total value of the collection

is $1.15. How many nickels and how many dimes does he have?

Answer 1

11 nickels and 6 dimes

Explanation:

Let n be the number of nickels and d be the number of dimes.

n + d = 17 (1)

Since 1 nickel is 5 cents, n nickels will be 5n cents

Since 1 dime is 10 cents, d dimes would be 10d cents.

$1.15 = 115 cents

5n + 10d = 115

Dividing by 5,

n + 2d = 23 (2)

Equation (2) - Equation (1)

d = 23 - 17 = 6

n + d = 17

n + 6 = 17

n = 17-6

n = 11