Create an equation with one variable

Question

You have five more dimes than quarters, and the total amount of money is $2.95. How many dimes and quarters do you have?

Answer 1

Hey Ashley!

 

We can set up an algebraic equation to represent this problem.

 

Let x represent the number of quarters you have, and y represent the number of dimes you have. We know from the problem that we have 5 more dimes than quarters, so y can also be represented as x+5. We also know that a dime is worth .10 and a quarter .25.

 

Therefore the following equation represents the amount of money we have:

 

.10(x+5) + .25x = 2.95

 

Now we solve for X 

 

.10x + .5 + .25x = 2.95

.35x = 2.45 (here's that one variable equation in its simplest form!)

 

x = 7, you have seven quarters.

 

Since we know we have 5 more dimes than quarters, by adding 7 to x, we get 12. 

 

You have 12 dimes and 7 quarters.