Solve the problem.
-Sue took her collection of nickels and dimes to deposit in the bank. She has five fewer nickels than dimes. Her total deposit was $64.85. How many dimes did she deposit?
A) 429 dimes
B) 439 dimes
C) 434 dimes
D) 863 dimes

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Let the number of dimes be $d$ and the number of nickels be $n$. The problem states that Sue has five fewer nickels than dimes, so $n = d - 5$. The total value of the coins is $64.85, or 6485 cents. Since dimes are worth 10 cents and nickels are worth 5 cents, the equation for the total value is $10d + 5n = 6485$. Substituting $n = d - 5$ into the equation gives $10d + 5(d - 5) = 6485$. Simplifying, $10d + 5d - 25 = 6485$, so $15d = 6510$, and dividing by 15 gives $d = 434$. Therefore, Sue deposited 434 dimes.

Solve the Problem. -Sue Took Her Collection of Nickels and Dimes to Deposit