nickles dimes and quarters

Question

There are some nickels, dimes, and quarters in a large piggy bank. For every 2 nickels there are 3 dimes. For every 2 dimes there are 5 quarters. There are 500 coins total.

How many nickels
, dimes
, and quarters
are in the piggy bank?
How much are the coins in the piggy bank worth?

Answer 1

2 nickles       2 dimes

----------  * --------------  = 4 nickles /   15 quarters  ---> ratio  of nickles to quarters is 4:15

3 dimes        5 quarters

 

The final ratio is 4 nickles :  6 dimes : 15 quarters

 

X is the proportion/ration.

 

4X + 6X + 15X = 500

 

25X = 500

 

X=20

 

4*20 = 80 nickles  = 400 pennies = $4.00

6*20 = 120 dimes = 1200 pennies = $12.00

15*20 = 300 quarters = 7500 pennies = $75.00

There are indeed 80+120+300=500 coins in the piggy bank,

that are worth  $4+12+75 = $91.