Kat has 19 coins, all quarters and dimes, that are worth a total of $4. The system of equations that can be used to find the number of quarters, q, and the number of dimes, d, she has is shown.

q + d = 19
0.25q + 0.1d = 4
How many quarters does she have?

4
5
14
15

1 answer

To solve the problem, we have a system of equations:

  1. \( q + d = 19 \) (Equation 1)
  2. \( 0.25q + 0.1d = 4 \) (Equation 2)

We can start by solving Equation 1 for \( d \):

\[ d = 19 - q \]

Next, we substitute \( d \) into Equation 2:

\[ 0.25q + 0.1(19 - q) = 4 \]

Now, distribute \( 0.1 \) in the equation:

\[ 0.25q + 1.9 - 0.1q = 4 \]

Combine like terms:

\[ 0.25q - 0.1q + 1.9 = 4 \ 0.15q + 1.9 = 4 \]

Next, isolate \( q \) by subtracting \( 1.9 \) from both sides:

\[ 0.15q = 4 - 1.9 \ 0.15q = 2.1 \]

Now, divide by \( 0.15 \):

\[ q = \frac{2.1}{0.15} \ q = 14 \]

Thus, Kat has \( \boxed{14} \) quarters.

To confirm, we can find \( d \) using \( d = 19 - q \):

\[ d = 19 - 14 = 5 \]

We can check the total value:

\[ 0.25(14) + 0.1(5) = 3.5 + 0.5 = 4 \]

The values are correct, confirming that Kat has \( \boxed{14} \) quarters.