Algebra Word Problem

Question

Timothy's new stamp collection includes 18,22,26 and 14 cent stamps. The collection has two thirds as many 22 cent stamps as 18 cent stamps, one fewer 26 cent stamps than 22 cent stamps, and three more than twice as many 14 cent stamps as 22 cent stamps. How many of each type of stamp is in his collection if it's total value is $6.34

Answer 1

This turns out to be an exercise in arithmetic!

Let A be the number of 18 cent stamps

     B, the number of 22 cent stamps

     C, the number of 26 cent stamps

&   D, the number of 14 cent stamps

 

A=(2/3)B, i.e. B=(3/2)A

C=B-1

D=2B+3

 

The equation you need is

18(3/2)B + 22B + 26(B-1) + 14(2B+3) = 634 (Notice that I multiplied by 100 to get rid of the decimals!)

Do the multiplications (carefully!) and you will  find you are left with

103B -26 + 42 = 618 which easily gives you B = 6

Now go back to your original definitions and get A,C and D.