Suppose you have 12 coins that total 32 cents. Some of the coins are nickels and the rest are pennies. How many of each coin do you have?

3 answers

add up the coins, and add up the values.
Now solve those two equations.
What do you get?
p + n = 12 this represents the number of pennies and nickels.

.01 p + .05 n = .32 in this equation, you are getting the value of the coins.

The problem may be easier if you multiply the 2nd equation by 100

p + 5n = 32. finally use elimination to fine p and n by using the first equation and this equation. Hope that helps. Remember to check your answer to be sure that the number of coins adds to 12 and the value of the coins = 32 cents.
5 nickles. 7 penny's