Cynthia has a cup full of dimes and quarters that she would like to put in her savings account. When she takes the cup to the bank, the banker tells Cynthia that the 386 coins in the cup are worth $58.10. How many quarters does she have?

Question

anonymous · Answer

@mathmale

mathmale · Answer

This is clearly an algebra problem and should be treated like one. 

Choose a letter to represent the number of quarters (I'd use q); then choose another letter to represent the number of dimes.

How many coins has Cynthia in all?  Write an equation in your two variables that involves this sum.

A quarter is worth $0.25, right?
So, the value of the quarters is $0.25 times the letter q (which represents number of quarters).

What expression represents the value of the dimes?  

Add these two expressions together and set the sum equal to $58.10.

By now you should have two equations in two variables (e. g., in q and d). 

How would you solve this system of linear equations?

Glad to hear from you.

anonymous · Answer

dont i need the same vairble for each coin because i can put together unlike variables

anonymous · Answer

how do i set up the equation

anonymous · Answer

nevermind their are 130 quarters