George has $3.60 in quarters and dimes. If he has 13 more quarters than dimes, how many dimes does he have ?

4 answers

number of dimes ---- x
number of quarters ---- x+13

make up an equation that deals with the value of the coins
and solve it for x
How do I make the equation......?!

How is this one: 3.60x+x+3 ?!!!!!

I hate these problems and I always get them wrong because I don't understand them... could you help me?
Dimes are 10 cents, quarters are 25 cents.
Your equation is the number of them times their value : )
Let x represent the dimes
10x + 25(x + 13) = 360
You can either work in pennies or dollars. This equation is if you work in pennies : )
Use the distributive property and solve for x
nope. Either you write an equation of VALUE, or number of coins. Equations are statements.

Based on number of coins:
If he has 13 more quarters than dimes,
Q-13=D
Based on Value:
.25Q+.10D=$3.60
Now you can so some thinking (with algebra).
.25Q+.10(Q-13)=$3.60
.25Q+.10Q-1.30=3.60 and you solve for number of quarters Q. Then D=Q-13
What I suspect you are doing, is forgetting what the unknows stand for. A common trap is calling the unknown x, without units. I think you would be better off using symbols that mean mean somthing, such as Q, D. And when you read the equation, say what they mean.