Solve using the five step method

Question

johnny saves all of his nickles and dimes in a jar. One day he counted them and found that there were 73 coins worth $4.55. How many nickels and dimes were in the jar?

Answer 1

Let x = the number of nickels

y = the number of dimes

 

x + y = 73

.05x + .10y = 4.55

 

We can use the Substitution Method. Solve the first equation for y.

 

y = 73 - x

 

Replace y in the second equation with 73 - x.

 

.05x + .10(73 - x) = 4.55

 

Multiply both sides of the equation by 100.

 

5x + 10(73 - x) = 455

5x + 730 - 10x = 455

730 - 5x = 455

-5x = -275

x = 55

 

y = 73 - 55 = 18

 

There are 55 nickels and 18 dimes in the jar