Answer:
33 nickels, 17 quarters
Step-by-step explanation:
q=quarters, n=nickels
Since total number of coins = 50 and he only has quarters and nickels,
q + n = 50.
Since a quarter is 0.25 dollars, a nickel is 0.05 dollars, and his total is $5.90,
0.25q + 0.05n = 5.90
Multiply the entire second equation by -4 to get -q and eliminate q from both equations: -4(0.25q + 0.05n = 5.90)
So, q + n = 50
And -q -0.2n = -23.6
Cancel q's and add down to combine both equations, so 0.8n = 26.4
Solve for n by dividing 0.8 by both sides, so n = 33
Plug n back into the first equation: q + 33 = 50 and q is thus 17.
Hope this helps!
