Mr.Merill has 3 times as many nickels as dimes. The coins have a total value of $1.50. How many of each coin does he have?

Question

Mr.Merill has 3 times as many nickels as dimes. The coins have a total value of $1.50. How many of each coin does he have?

Answer 1

Let d=number of dimes and let n=number of nickels. 

 

Knowing that d=.10 (10 cents) and n=.05 (5 cents)

 

We know that 3d=n  (Because there are three times as many nickels as dimes!)

 

We also know that d + n = 1.50.

 

Now, we're going to substitute: .10d  +  3(.05d)  =  1.50

 

.10d  +  .15d  = 1.50

.25d  =  1.50

d=6 (6 dimes)

 

Now, substitute back in: 3d=n

3(6)=n=18 nickels

 

The answer is 6 dimes and 18 nickels!