A class contributed $3.50 in nickels and dimes to the Red Cross. In all there were 45 coins. How many were there of each kind? please help? :(

Question

anonymous · Answer

put $x$ as the number of nickles, and $y$ as the number of dimes and solve 
$$x+y=45$$
$$5x+10y=350$$

anonymous · Answer

or if you like, say $x$ is the number of nickles, $45-x$ is the number of dimes and solve $5x+10(45-x)=350$ may be quicker

anonymous · Answer

you good from there?

anonymous · Answer

yeah i put the equation as 10x+5(45-x)=350..problem is i don't know what the first step to solve it =/

anonymous · Answer

remove parentheses using distributive law and get 
$10x+225-5x=350$

anonymous · Answer

then combine like terms to get $5x+225=350$ and you are done in two steps

anonymous · Answer

got it from here?

anonymous · Answer

yeah i got it thanks!

anonymous · Answer

yw