In a change jar, Tom has nickels and dimes. The number of nickels is two times the number of dimes and the total amount of money in the jar is $1.20. How many dimes are in the jar?

Question

terenzreignz · Answer

The first step in these problems is to represent the variables.  Let x represent one of them, preferably the value you wish to find.
So if we let x be the number of dimes, how many nickels are in the jar?

anonymous · Answer

Can you write it out as a equation?

terenzreignz · Answer

Yes, of course, but you need to have a way to represent the number of nickels.
Remember... the number of nickels is TWO TIMES THE NUMBER OF DIMES.
If there are x dimes, how many nickels are there?

anonymous · Answer

2x ?

anonymous · Answer

Yes! Now to calculate you just to add those.

anonymous · Answer

$$.10x + 2(.05x) = 1.20$$
Solve for x, you will get the values

terenzreignz · Answer

Okay... how much is a nickel?
and how much is a dime?
In dollars, of course....

anonymous · Answer

A nickel is 5 cent, and dime 10 cent. He wrote out the equation, but solving it it the hard part.

anonymous · Answer

you will just collect the like terms and then solve

stamp · Answer

solution : see attachment