Sam has 18 coins in his pocket that are either quarters or nickels. The total value of these coins is $3.90.

Let q represent the number of quarters and n represent the number of nickels. The following system of equations represents this situation:

q+n=18

0.25q+0.05n=3.90

How many quarters and nickels does Sam have?

User Icon for PsyDAG PsyDAG answered
9 years ago

Substitute 18-q for n in the second equation and solve for q. Insert that value into the first equation to solve for n. Check by putting both values into the second equation.

User Icon for Anonymous Anonymous answered
8 years ago

idk fam

User Icon for Anonymous Anonymous answered
8 years ago

9

i
9
o0
0
0

User Icon for Anonymous Anonymous answered
6 years ago

what is ittttt I have to do my tenmarksssss

User Icon for Anonymous Anonymous answered
6 years ago

I too have to do my tenmarks

User Icon for Ziyada Ziyada answered
6 years ago

Lets first start with what is stated above~

What we know:
Q= Quarters
N= Nickels
Total amount= $3.90
Total coins=18

Q + N= Total coins (18)
0.25Q(Quarter amount) + 0.05N (Nickel amount)= $3.90 (Total amount)

Whenever you do problems like this in a systems of equations unit you MUST ALWAYS isolate only 1 letter, leaving only 1 OTHER letter behind as your new equation
Q + N = 18
-Q -Q
New Equation-
N= 18 - Q

Your next step is simple, plug and chug (don't discriminate, my teacher taught it to me that way, I remember it better in the weirdest way, as you can see)
0.25Q + 0.05(insert the N=18 - Q Equation here)= 3.90
Then simply solve for the equation.

0.25Q + 0.05(18 - Q)=3.90
0.9 - 0.05Q=3.90
Combine like terms
0.25 + 0.9 - 0.05Q=3.90
0.2Q + 0.9= 3.90
-0.9 -0.9

0.2Q/0.2 = 3/0.2
Q = 15
Now for the final step, go back to your N= 18 - Q Equation, and this time, insert your new Q

N= 18 - Q
N= 18 - (15)
N= 3
Your final results
Nickels~3
Quarters~15

This section is for the people who need this equation for homework or for another reason.

18 coins
$3.90
Q= Quarter (0.25)
N= Nickel (0.05)

Q + N = 18
-Q -Q

0.25Q + + 0.05 N =3.90

N= 18 - Q

0.25Q + 0.05(18 - Q)= 3.90

0.25Q + 0.9 - 0.05Q= 3.90
0.2Q + 0.9 = 3.90
-0.9 -0.9

0.2Q = 3
_____ _____
0.2 0.2

Q = 15

N= 18 - Q
N= 18 - (15)
N= 3

User Icon for Explain Bot Explain Bot answered
11 months ago

To solve this system of equations, we can use the method of substitution.

Step 1: Solve one equation for one variable in terms of the other variable.
Let's solve the first equation for q:
q + n = 18
q = 18 - n

Step 2: Substitute the expression for q in terms of n into the second equation.
0.25q + 0.05n = 3.90
0.25(18 - n) + 0.05n = 3.90

Step 3: Simplify and solve for n.
4.5 - 0.25n + 0.05n = 3.90
4.5 - 0.20n = 3.90
-0.20n = 3.90 - 4.5
-0.20n = -0.60

Divide both sides by -0.20 to solve for n:
n = -0.60 / -0.20
n = 3

Step 4: Substitute the value of n back into the first equation to solve for q.
q + 3 = 18
q = 18 - 3
q = 15

Therefore, Sam has 15 quarters and 3 nickels.