Algebra Word Problems

Lesson 4
Worksheet 4
Algebra Word Problems
Involving
Coins and Money

1
© MathTutorDVD.com
Algebra Word Problems – Lesson 4 - Worksheet 4 - Algebra Word Problems
Involving Coins and Money

Problem 1) You have two times as many dimes as nickels and the total amount
of money is $3.00. How many dimes and nickels do you have?

Problem 2) A jar has twenty-three coins consisting of dimes and nickels. The
total amount of money is $1.90. How many dimes and nickels are there?

2
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 3) Suppose you bought 20 stamps consisting of 42 −cent stamps and
24 −cent stamps. If the stamps cost $6.24, how many of each stamp did you
purchase?

Problem 4) Suppose while at a store, you ask for change for seven dollars. You
get in return exactly thirty-four coins, all of which are dimes and quarters. How
many dimes and quarters did you receive?

3
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 5) Juanita paid for an item at the store and received seven dollars in
change. She received three more dimes than she did nickels and three more
quarters than she did dimes. How many nickels, dimes and quarters did she
receive?

Problem 6) You have five times as many quarters as nickels and the total
amount of money is $9.10. How many quarters and nickels do you have?

4
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 7) A bag has eighty-five coins consisting of dimes and quarters. The
total amount of money is $14.80. How many dimes and quarters are there?

Problem 8) Suppose you bought 40 stamps consisting of 18 −cent stamps and

32 −cent stamps. If the stamps cost $10.56, how many of each stamp did you
purchase?

5
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 9) Suppose while at a store, you ask for change for five dollars. You
get in return exactly twenty-four coins, all of which are nickels and quarters. How
many nickels and quarters did you receive?

Problem 10) Brian paid for an item at the store and received eleven dollars in
change. He received an equal number of dimes and nickels and two fewer than
four times the number of nickels in quarters. How many nickels, dimes and
quarters did he receive?

6
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 11) You have eight times as many quarters as dimes and the total
amount of money is $12.60. How many quarters and dimes do you have?

Problem 12) Jeremy found fifty coins consisting of nickels and quarters. The
total amount of money is $7.50. How many nickels and quarters are there?

7
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 13) Suppose you bought 60 stamps consisting of 15 −cent stamps
and 36 −cent stamps. If the stamps cost $14.88, how many of each stamp did
you purchase?

Problem 14) Suppose while at a carwash, you ask the attendant for change for
ten dollars. You get in return exactly forty-nine coins, all of which are dimes and
quarters. How many dimes and quarters did you receive?

8
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 15) Stacey paid for an item at the store and received two dollars in
change. She received three fewer dimes than nickels and two fewer quarters than
the number of nickels. How many nickels, dimes and quarters did she receive?

Problem 16) You have four times as many dimes as pennies and the total of
money is $10.66. How many dimes and pennies do you have?

9
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 17) Roseanna found fifty-six coins consisting of nickels, dimes and
quarters. There were twice as many dimes as nickels and twice as many quarters
as dimes. The total amount of money is $10.00. How many nickels, dimes and
quarters are there?

Problem 18) Suppose you bought 80 stamps consisting of 12 −cent stamps

and 48 −cent stamps. If the stamps cost $30.12, how many of each stamp did
you purchase?

10
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 19) Suppose you went to a bank and you asked the cashier for change
for twenty-five dollars. You get in return exactly 140 coins, all of which are
nickels, dimes and quarters. There are twice as many dimes as nickels and four
times as many quarters as nickels. How many nickels, dimes and quarters did you
receive?

Problem 20) John paid for an item at the store and received four dollars in
change. He received six fewer dimes than nickels and four fewer quarters than
the number of nickels. How many nickels, dimes and quarters did he receive?

11
© MathTutorDVD.com
Answers - Algebra Word Problems – Lesson 4 - Worksheet 4 - Algebra Word
Problems Involving Coins and Money

Problem 1) You have two times as many dimes as nickels and the total amount
of money is $3.00. How many dimes and nickels do you have?

Solution:

Let 𝑛 represent the number of nickels and let 𝑑 represent the number of dimes.

From the problem we can write these two equations:

𝑑 = 2𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)𝑑 = 3

Substitute 2𝑛 for 𝑑 and solve for 𝑛:

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)(2𝑛) = 3

0.05𝑛 + 0.20𝑛 = 3

0.25𝑛 = 3

𝑛 = 12

Use 𝑛 = 12 to find 𝑑:

𝑑 = 2𝑛 → 𝑑 = 2(12) = 24

Check the solutions:

(12)(0.05) + (24)(0.10) = .60 + 2.40 = 3.00

Answer: 12 nickels, 24 dimes

12
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 2) A jar has twenty-three coins consisting of dimes and nickels. The
total amount of money is $1.90. How many dimes and nickels are there?

Solution:

Let 𝑛 represent the number of nickels and let 𝑑 represent the number of dimes.

From the problem we can write these two equations:

𝑑 + 𝑛 = 23 and (0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)𝑑 = 1.90

Isolate 𝑑 in the first equation: 𝑑 = 23 − 𝑛.

Substitute 23 − 𝑛 for 𝑑 and solve for 𝑛:

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)(23 − 𝑛) = 1.90

0.05𝑛 + 23(0.10) − 0.10𝑛 = 1.90

2.30 − 0.05𝑛 = 1.90

0.40 = 0.05𝑛

𝑛=8

Use 𝑛 = 8 to find 𝑑:

𝑑 + 𝑛 = 23 → 𝑑 + 8 = 23

𝑑 = 15

Check your solution:

(0.05)(8) + (0.10)(15) = .40 + 1.50 = 1.90

Answer: 8 nickels, 15 dimes

13
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 3) Suppose you bought 20 stamps consisting of 42 −cent stamps and
24 −cent stamps. If the stamps cost $6.24, how many of each stamp did you
purchase?

Solution:

Let 𝐴 represent the number of 42 −cent stamps and let 𝐵 represent the number
of 24 −cent stamps.

From the problem we can write these two equations:

𝐴 + 𝐵 = 20 and (0.42)𝐴 + (0.24)𝐵 = 6.24

Isolate 𝐴 in the first equation: 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 20 → 𝐴 = 20 − 𝐵.

Substitute 20 − 𝐵 into the second equation for 𝐴 and solve for 𝐵:

(0.42)(20 − 𝐵) + (0.24)𝐵 = 6.24

(0.42)(20) − (0.42)𝐵 + (0.24)𝐵 = 6.24

8.40 − 0.18𝐵 = 6.24

0.18𝐵 = 2.16

𝐵 = 12

Use 𝐵 = 12 and solve for 𝐴:

𝐴 + 𝐵 = 20 → 𝐴 + 12 = 20

𝐴=8

Check your solution:

(0.42)(8) + (0.24)(12) = 3.36 + 2.88 = 6.24

Answer: 42 −cent stamps: 8 and 24 −cent stamps: 12

14
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 4) Suppose while at a store you ask for change for seven dollars. You
get in return exactly thirty-four coins, all of which are dimes and quarters. How
many dimes and quarters did you receive?

Solution:

Let 𝑑 represent the number of dimes and let 𝑞 represent the number of quarters.

From the problem we can write these two equations:

𝑑 + 𝑞 = 34 and (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 7.00

Isolate 𝑑 in the first equation: 𝑑 = 34 − 𝑞.

Substitute 34 − 𝑞 for 𝑑 and solve for 𝑞:

(0.10)(34 − 𝑞) + (0.25)𝑞 = 7.00

(0.10)(34) − (0.10)𝑞 + (0.25)𝑞 = 7.00

3.40 − 0.10𝑞 + 0.25𝑞 = 7.00

3.40 + 0.15𝑞 = 7.00

0.15𝑞 = 3.60

𝑞 = 24

Use 𝑞 = 24 to find 𝑑:

𝑑 + 𝑞 = 34 → 𝑑 + 24 = 34

𝑑 = 10

Check your solution:

(0.25)(24) + (0.10)(10) = 6.00 + 1.00 = 7.00

Answer: 10 dimes, 24 quarters

15
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 5) Juanita paid for an item at the store and received seven dollars in
change. She received three more dimes than she did nickels and three more
quarters than she did dimes. How many nickels, dimes and quarters did she
receive?

Solution:

Let 𝑛 represent the number of nickels, 𝑑 represent the number of dimes and 𝑞
represent the number of quarters.

From the problem we can write these equations:

𝑑 = 𝑛 + 3 and 𝑞 = 𝑑 + 3 = 𝑛 + 6 with 𝑛(0.05) + 𝑑(0.10) + 𝑞(0.25) = 7.00

Substitute 𝑑 = 𝑛 + 3 and 𝑞 = 𝑛 + 6 into the last equation:

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)(𝑛 + 3) + (0.25)(𝑛 + 6) = 7.00

0.05𝑛 + 0.10𝑛 + (0.10)(3) + 0.25𝑛 + (0.25)(6) = 7.00

0.05𝑛 + 0.10𝑛 + 0.30 + 0.25𝑛 + 1.50 = 7.00

0.40𝑛 + 1.80 = 7.00

0.40𝑛 = 5.20

𝑛 = 13

Use 𝑛 = 13 to find 𝑑: 𝑑 = 𝑛 + 3 = 13 + 3 = 16.

Next, use 𝑛 = 13 to find 𝑞: 𝑞 = 𝑛 + 6 = 13 + 6 = 19.

Confirm that these coins add up to $7.00:

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 7.00

(0.05)(13) + (0.10)(16) + (0.25)(19) = 7.00

0.65 + 1.60 + 4.75 = 7.00

7.00 = 7.00

Answer: 13 nickels, 16 dimes, 19 quarters

16
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 6) You have five times as many quarters as nickels and the total
amount of money is $9.10. How many quarters and nickels do you have?

Solution:

Let 𝑛 represent the number of nickels and let 𝑞 represent the number of quarters.

From the problem we can write these two equations:

𝑞 = 5𝑛 and (0.05)𝑛 + (0.25)𝑞 = 9.10

Substitute 5𝑛 for 𝑑 and solve for 𝑞:

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.25)(5𝑛) = 9.10

0.05𝑛 + 1.25𝑛 = 9.10

1.30𝑛 = 9.10

𝑛=7

Use 𝑛 = 7 to find 𝑞:

𝑞 = 5𝑛 → 𝑑 = 5(7) = 35

Answer: 7 nickels, 35 quarters

17
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 7) A bag has eighty-five coins consisting of dimes and quarters. The
total amount of money is $14.80. How many dimes and quarters are there?

Solution:

Let 𝑑 represent the number of dimes and let 𝑞 represent the number of quarters.

From the problem we can write these two equations:

𝑑 + 𝑞 = 85 and (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 14.80

Isolate 𝑑 in the first equation: 𝑑 = 85 − 𝑞.

Substitute 85 − 𝑞 for 𝑑 and solve for 𝑞:

(0.10)(85 − 𝑞) + (0.25)𝑞 = 14.80

(0.10)(85) − 0.10𝑞 + 0.25𝑞 = 14.80

8.50 + 0.15𝑞 = 14.80

0.15𝑞 = 6.30

𝑞 = 42

Use 𝑞 = 42 to find 𝑑:

𝑑 + 𝑞 = 85 → 𝑑 + 42 = 85

𝑑 = 43

Check your solution:

(0.10)(43) + (0.25)(42) = 4.30 + 10.50 = 14,80

Answer: 43 dimes, 42 quarters

18
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 8) Suppose you bought 40 stamps consisting of 18 −cent stamps and
32 −cent stamps. If the stamps cost $10.56, how many of each stamp did you
purchase?

Solution:

Let 𝐴 represent the number of 18 −cent stamps and let 𝐵 represent the number
of 32 −cent stamps.

From the problem we can write these two equations:

𝐴 + 𝐵 = 40 and (0.18)𝐴 + (0.32)𝐵 = 10.56

Isolate 𝐴 in the first equation: 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 40 → 𝐴 = 40 − 𝐵.

Substitute 40 − 𝐵 into the second equation for 𝐴 and solve for 𝐵:

(0.18)(40 − 𝐵) + (0.32)𝐵 = 10.56

(0.18)(40) − (0.18)𝐵 + (0.32)𝐵 = 10.56

7.20 + 0.14𝐵 = 10.56

0.14𝐵 = 3.36

𝐵 = 24

Use 𝐵 = 24 and solve for 𝐴:

𝐴 + 𝐵 = 40 → 𝐴 + 24 = 40

𝐴 = 16

Check your solution:

(0.18)(16) + (0.32)(24) = 2.88 + 7.68 = 10.56

Answer: 18 −cent stamps: 16; 32 −cent stamps: 24

19
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 9) Suppose while at a store, you ask for change for five dollars. You
get in return exactly twenty-four coins, all of which are nickels and quarters. How
many nickels and quarters did you receive?

Solution:

Let 𝑛 represent the number of nickels and let 𝑞 represent the number of quarters.

From the problem we can write these two equations:

𝑛 + 𝑞 = 24 and (0.05)𝑛 + (0.25)𝑞 = 5.00

Isolate 𝑛 in the first equation: 𝑛 = 24 − 𝑞.

Substitute 24 − 𝑞 for 𝑛 and solve for 𝑞:

(0.05)(24 − 𝑞) + (0.25)𝑞 = 5.00

(0.05)(24) − (0.05)𝑞 + (0.25)𝑞 = 5.00

1.20 − 0.05𝑞 + 0.25𝑞 = 5.00

1.20 + 0.20𝑞 = 5.00

0.20𝑞 = 3.80

𝑞 = 19

Use 𝑞 = 19 to find 𝑛:

𝑛 + 𝑞 = 24 → 𝑛 + 19 = 24

𝑛=5

Check your solution:

(0.05)(5)(0.25)(19) = 0.25 + 4.75 = 5.00

Answer: 5 nickels, 19 quarters

20
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 10) Brian paid for an item at the store and received eleven dollars in
change. He received an equal number of dimes and nickels and two fewer than
four times the number of nickels in quarters. How many nickels, dimes and
quarters did he receive?

Solution:

Let 𝑛 represent the number of nickels, 𝑑 represent the number of dimes and 𝑞
represent the number of quarters.

From the problem we can write these equations:

𝑑 = 𝑛 and 𝑞 = 4𝑛 − 2 with (0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 11.00

Substitute 𝑑 = 𝑛 and 𝑞 = 4𝑛 − 2 into the last equation:

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)𝑛 + (0.25)(4𝑛 − 2) = 11.00

0.05𝑛 + 0.10𝑛 + (0.25)(4𝑛) − (0.25)(2) = 11.00

0.05𝑛 + 0.10𝑛 + 𝑛 − 0.50 = 11.00

1.15𝑛 − 0.50 = 11.00

1.15𝑛 = 11.50

𝑛 = 10

Use 𝑛 = 10 to find 𝑑: 𝑑 = 𝑛 = 10.

Next, use 𝑛 = 10 to find 𝑞: 𝑞 = 4𝑛 − 2 = 4(10) − 2 = 40 − 2 = 38.

Confirm that these coins add up to $11.00:

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 11.00

(0.05)(10) + (0.10)(10) + (0.25)(38) = 11.00

0.50 + 1.00 + 9.50 = 11.00

11.00 = 11.00

Answer: 10 nickels, 10 dimes, 38 quarters

21
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 11) You have eight times as many quarters as dimes and the total
amount of money is $12.60. How many quarters and dimes do you have?

Solution:

Let 𝑑 represent the number of dimes and let 𝑞 represent the number of quarters.

From the problem we can write these two equations:

𝑞 = 8𝑑 and (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 12.60

Substitute 8𝑑 for 𝑞 and solve for 𝑑:

(0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)(8𝑑) = 12.60

0.10𝑑 + 2𝑑 = 12.60

2.10𝑑 = 12.60

𝑑=6

Use 𝑑 = 6 to find 𝑞:

𝑞 = 8𝑑 → 𝑑 = 8(6) = 48

Check your solution:

(0.10)(6) + (0.25)(48) = 0.60 + 12.00 = 12.60

Answer: 6 dimes, 48 quarters

22
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 12) Jeremy found fifty coins consisting of nickels and quarters. The
total amount of money is $7.50. How many nickels and quarters are there?

Solution:

Let 𝑛 represent the number of nickels and let 𝑞 represent the number of quarters.

From the problem we can write these two equations:

𝑛 + 𝑞 = 50 and (0.05)𝑛 + (0.25)𝑞 = 7.50

Isolate 𝑛 in the first equation: 𝑛 = 50 − 𝑞.

Substitute 50 − 𝑞 for 𝑛 and solve for 𝑞:

(0.05)(50 − 𝑞) + (0.25)𝑞 = 7.50

(0.05)(50) − (0.05)𝑞 + 0.25𝑞 = 7.50

2.50 + 0.20𝑞 = 7.50

0.20𝑞 = 5.00

𝑞 = 25

Use 𝑞 = 25 to find 𝑛:

𝑛 + 𝑞 = 50 → 𝑛 + 25 = 50

𝑛 = 25

Check your solution:

(0.05)(25) + (0.25)(25) = 1.25 + 6.25 = 7.50

Answer: 25 nickels, 25 quarters

23
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 13) Suppose you bought 60 stamps consisting of 15 −cent stamps
and 36 −cent stamps. If the stamps cost $14.88, how many of each stamp did
you purchase?

Solution:

Let 𝐴 represent the number of 15 −cent stamps and let 𝐵 represent the number
of 36 −cent stamps.

From the problem we can write these two equations:

𝐴 + 𝐵 = 60 and (0.15)𝐴 + (0.36)𝐵 = 14.88

Isolate 𝐴 in the first equation: 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 60 → 𝐴 = 60 − 𝐵.

Substitute 60 − 𝐵 into the second equation for 𝐴 and solve for 𝐵:

(0.15)(60 − 𝐵) + (0.36)𝐵 = 14.88

(0.15)(60) − (0.15)𝐵 + (0.36)𝐵 = 14.88

9.00 + 0.21𝐵 = 14.88

0.21𝐵 = 5.88

𝐵 = 28

Use 𝐵 = 28 and solve for 𝐴:

𝐴 + 𝐵 = 60 → 𝐴 + 28 = 60

𝐴 = 32

Check your solution:

(0.15)(32) + (0.36)(28) = 4.80 + 10.08 = 14.88

Answer: 15 −cent stamps: 32; 36 −cent stamps: 28

24
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 14) Suppose while at a carwash, you ask the attendant for change for
ten dollars. You get in return exactly forty-nine coins, all of which are dimes and
quarters. How many dimes and quarters did you receive?

Solution:

Let 𝑑 represent the number of dimes and let 𝑞 represent the number of quarters.

From the problem we can write these two equations:

𝑑 + 𝑞 = 49 and (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 10.00

Isolate 𝑑 in the first equation: 𝑑 = 49 − 𝑞.

Substitute 49 − 𝑞 for 𝑑 and solve for 𝑞:

(0.10)(49 − 𝑞) + (0.25)𝑞 = 10.00

(0.10)(49) − (0.10)𝑞 + (0.25)𝑞 = 10.00

4.90 − 0.10𝑞 + 0.25𝑞 = 10.00

4.90 + 0.15𝑞 = 10.00

0.15𝑞 = 5.10

𝑞 = 34

Use 𝑞 = 34 to find 𝑑:

𝑑 + 𝑞 = 49 → 𝑑 + 34 = 49

𝑑 = 15

Check your solution:

(0.10)(15) + (0.25)(34) = 1.50 + 8.50 = 10.00

Answer: 15 dimes, 34 quarters

25
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 15) Stacey paid for an item at the store and received two dollars in
change. She received three fewer dimes than nickels and two fewer quarters than
the number of nickels. How many nickels, dimes and quarters did she receive?

Solution:

Let 𝑛 represent the number of nickels, let 𝑑 represent the number of dimes and
let 𝑞 represent the number of quarters.

From the problem we can write these equations:

𝑑 = 𝑛 − 3 and 𝑞 = 𝑛 − 2 with (0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 2.00

Substitute 𝑑 = 𝑛 − 3 and 𝑞 = 𝑛 − 2 into the last equation:

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)(𝑛 − 3) + (0.25)(𝑛 − 2) = 2.00

0.05𝑛 + 0.10𝑛 − (0.10)(3) + (0.25)𝑛 − (0.25)(2) = 2.00

0.05𝑛 + 0.10𝑛 − 0.30 + 0.25𝑛 − 0.50 = 2.00

0.40𝑛 − 0.80 = 2.00

0.40𝑛 = 2.80

𝑛=7

Use 𝑛 = 7 to find 𝑑: 𝑑 = 𝑛 − 3 = 7 − 3 = 4.

Next, use 𝑛 = 7 to find 𝑞: 𝑞 = 𝑛 − 2 = 7 − 2 = 5.

Confirm that these coins add up to $2.00:

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 2.00

(0.05)(7) + (0.10)(4) + (0.25)(5) = 2.00

0.35 + 0.40 + 1.25 = 2.00

2.00 = 2.00

Answer: 7 nickels, 4 dimes, 5 quarters

26
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 16) You have four times as many dimes as pennies and the total
amount of money is $10.66. How many dimes and pennies do you have?

Solution:

Let 𝑑 represent the number of dimes and let 𝑝 represent the number of pennies.

From the problem we can write these two equations:

𝑑 = 4𝑝 and (0.01)𝑝 + (0.10)𝑑 = 10.66

Substitute 4𝑝 for 𝑑 and solve for 𝑝:

(0.01)𝑝 + (0.10)(4𝑝) = 10.66

0.01𝑝 + 0.40𝑝 = 10.66

0.41𝑝 = 10.66

𝑝 = 26

Use 𝑝 = 26 to find 𝑑:

𝑑 = 4𝑝

𝑑 = 4(26) = 104

Check your solution:

(0.01)(26) + (0.10)(104) = 0.26 + 10.40 = 10.66

Answer: 26 pennies, 104 dimes

27
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 17) Roseanna found fifty-six coins consisting of nickels, dimes and
quarters. There were twice as many dimes as nickels and twice as many quarters
as dimes. The total amount of money is $10.00. How many nickels, dimes and
quarters are there?

Solution:

Let 𝑛 represent the number of nickels, let 𝑑 represent the number of dimes and
let 𝑞 represent the number of quarters.

From the problem we can write these equations:

𝑛 + 𝑑 + 𝑞 = 56, 𝑑 = 2𝑛 and 𝑞 = 2𝑑 = 2(2𝑛) = 4𝑛

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 10.00

Substitute 𝑑 = 2𝑛 and 𝑞 = 4𝑛 into the first equation:

𝑛 + 𝑑 + 𝑞 = 56

𝑛 + 2𝑛 + 4𝑛 = 7𝑛 = 56

𝑛=8

Use 𝑛 = 8 to find 𝑑: 𝑑 = 2𝑛 = 2(8) = 16.

Next, use 𝑛 = 8 to find 𝑞: 𝑞 = 4𝑛 = 4(8) = 32.

Confirm that these coins add up to $10.00:

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 10.00

(0.05)(8) + (0.10)(16) + (0.25)(32) = 10.00

0.40 + 1.60 + 8.00 = 10.00

10.00 = 10.00

Answer: 8 nickels, 16 dimes, 32 quarters

28
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 18) Suppose you bought 80 stamps consisting of 12 −cent stamps
and 48 −cent stamps. If the stamps cost $30.12, how many of each stamp did
you purchase?

Solution:

Let 𝐴 represent the number of 12 −cent stamps and let 𝐵 represent the number
of 48 −cent stamps.

From the problem we can write these two equations:

𝐴 + 𝐵 = 80 and (0.12)𝐴 + (0.48)𝐵 = 30.12

Isolate 𝐴 in the first equation: 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 80 → 𝐴 = 80 − 𝐵.

Substitute 80 − 𝐵 into the second equation for 𝐴 and solve for 𝐵:

(0.12)(80 − 𝐵) + (0.48)𝐵 = 30.12

(0.12)(80) − (0.12)𝐵 + (0.48)𝐵 = 30.12

9.60 + 0.36𝐵 = 30.12

0.36𝐵 = 20.52

𝐵 = 57

Use 𝐵 = 57 and solve for 𝐴:

𝐴 + 𝐵 = 80 → 𝐴 + 57 = 80

𝐴 = 23

Check your solution:

(0.12)(23) + (0.48)(57) = 2.76 + 27.36 = 30.12

Answer: 12 −cent stamps: 23; 48 −cent stamps: 57

29
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 19) Suppose you went to a bank and you asked the cashier for change
for twenty-five dollars. You get in return exactly 140 coins, all of which are
nickels, dimes and quarters. There are twice as many dimes as nickels and four
times as many quarters as nickels. How many nickels, dimes and quarters did you
receive?

Solution:

Let 𝑛 represent the number of nickels, let 𝑑 represent the number of dimes and
let 𝑞 represent the number of quarters.

From the problem we can write these equations:

𝑛 + 𝑑 + 𝑞 = 140, 𝑑 = 2𝑛 and 𝑞 = 4𝑛

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 25.00

Substitute 𝑑 = 2𝑛 and 𝑞 = 4𝑛 into the first equation:

𝑛 + 𝑑 + 𝑞 = 140

𝑛 + 2𝑛 + 4𝑛 = 7𝑛 = 140

𝑛 = 20

Use 𝑛 = 20 to find 𝑑: 𝑑 = 2𝑛 = 2(20) = 40.

Next, use 𝑛 = 20 to find 𝑞: 𝑞 = 4𝑛 = 4(20) = 80.

Confirm that these coins add up to $25.00:

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 25.00

(0.05)(20) + (0.10)(40) + (0.25)(80) = 25.00

1.00 + 4.00 + 20.00 = 25.00

25.00 = 25.00

Answer: 20 nickels, 40 dimes, 80 quarters

30
© MathTutorDVD.com
Problem 20) John paid for an item at the store and received four dollars in
change. He received six fewer dimes than nickels and four fewer quarters than
the number of nickels. How many nickels, dimes and quarters did he receive?

Solution:

Let 𝑛 represent the number of nickels, let 𝑑 represent the number of dimes and
let 𝑞 represent the number of quarters.

From the problem we can write these equations:

𝑑 = 𝑛 − 6 and 𝑞 = 𝑛 − 4 with (0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 4.00

Substitute 𝑑 = 𝑛 − 6 and 𝑞 = 𝑛 − 4 into the last equation:

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)(𝑛 − 6) + (0.25)(𝑛 − 4) = 4.00

0.05𝑛 + 0.10𝑛 − (0.10)(6) + (0.25)𝑛 − (0.25)(4) = 4.00

0.05𝑛 + 0.10𝑛 − 0.60 + 0.25𝑛 − 1.00 = 4.00

0.40𝑛 − 1.60 = 4.00

0.40𝑛 = 5.60

𝑛 = 14

Use 𝑛 = 14 to find 𝑑: 𝑑 = 𝑛 − 6 = 14 − 6 = 8.

Next, use 𝑛 = 14 to find 𝑞: 𝑞 = 𝑛 − 4 = 14 − 4 = 10.

Confirm that these coins add up to $4.00:

(0.05)𝑛 + (0.10)𝑑 + (0.25)𝑞 = 4.00

(0.05)(14) + (0.10)(8) + (0.25)(10) = 4.00

0.70 + 0.80 + 2.50 = 4.00

4.00 = 4.00

Answer: 14 nickels, 8 dimes, 10 quarters

31
© MathTutorDVD.com