Difference between revisions of "2004 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 11"

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== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
Let the total value (in cents) of the coins Paula has originally be <math>x</math>, and the number of coins she has be <math>n</math>. Then <math>\frac xn = 20 \Longrightarrow x = 20n</math> and <math>\frac {x+25}{n+1} = 21</math>. Substituting yields <math>20n + 25 = 21(n+1) \Longrightarrow n = 4, x = 80</math>. It is easy to see now that Paula has 3 quarters, 1 nickel, so she has <math>0\ \mathrm{(A)}</math> dimes.   
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Let the total value (in cents) of the coins Paula has originally be <math>x</math>, and the number of coins she has be <math>n</math>. Then <math>\frac xn = 20 \Longrightarrow x = 20n</math> and <math>\frac {x+25}{n+1} = 21</math>. [[substitution|Substituting]] yields <math>20n + 25 = 21(n+1) \Longrightarrow n = 4, x = 80</math>. It is easy to see now that Paula has 3 quarters, 1 nickel, so she has <math>0\ \mathrm{(A)}</math> dimes.   
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
{{AMC12 box|year=2004|ab=A|num-b=2|num-a=4}}
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{{AMC12 box|year=2004|ab=A|num-b=10|num-a=12}}
  
 
[[Category:Introductory Algebra Problems]]
 
[[Category:Introductory Algebra Problems]]

Revision as of 18:16, 3 December 2007

Problem

The average value of all the pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters in Paula's purse is $20$ cents. If she had one more quarter, the average value would be $21$ cents. How many dimes does she have in her purse?

$\text {(A)}\ 0 \qquad \text {(B)}\ 1 \qquad \text {(C)}\ 2 \qquad \text {(D)}\ 3\qquad \text {(E)}\ 4$

Solution

Let the total value (in cents) of the coins Paula has originally be $x$, and the number of coins she has be $n$. Then $\frac xn = 20 \Longrightarrow x = 20n$ and $\frac {x+25}{n+1} = 21$. Substituting yields $20n + 25 = 21(n+1) \Longrightarrow n = 4, x = 80$. It is easy to see now that Paula has 3 quarters, 1 nickel, so she has $0\ \mathrm{(A)}$ dimes.

See also

2004 AMC 12A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 10
Followed by
Problem 12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions