Algebra word problem

[Rissa001]

Can anyone show me how to do this word problem? I am not very good at word problems and worse at algebra! :?:

Bob sold hammers and wrenches at a flea market. he sold 4 times as many hammers as wrenches. the total sales equaled $609.00. If the hammers sold for $3.00 apiece and the wrenches for $2.50 each how many hammers and wrenches did he sell?

 

[Gene]

h = 4w
3h+2.5w=609

 

[Rissa001]

Thanks.......yes that helps!!! I just wasn't sure where to start, I did this other word problem too but it doesn't seem right can someone check it and let me know if it's correct or am I missing something?

Jenny has 175 coins in a jar. They consist of nicles and dimes only. the total value of the 175 coins is $11.90.how many nicles and dimes are there in jenny's jar?

Here is what I got:

N=175-D
.10D+ .05(175-D)=
.10D+.05(175-D)=11.90
10D+5(175-D)=1190
10D+875-5D=1190
5D+875=1190
5D=325
D=65
65+N=1190
N=1125

I don't think I did this right but I'm not sure where I goofed......any suggestions?

 

[stapel]

Please post new questions as new threads, rather than as replies to old questions, where they tend to be overlooked.

To check the answer to any "solving" problem, plug it back in to the original problem. If the solution works, it is correct.

Eliz.

 

[Gene]

Next to the last line. you used the wrong equation. 1190 is cents and 65 coins. You can't mix them like that. You have to use the equation that is all coins.
Also a small error in subtraction two lines above that.

 

[Rissa001]

I followed an example our teacher gave for a similier word problem and that was how he had it when he solved it. how should it be?

 

[Denis]

Jenny has 175 coins in a jar. They consist of nicles and dimes only. the total value of the 175 coins is $11.90.how many nicles and dimes are there in jenny's jar? Here is what I got:

N=175-D
.10D+.05(175-D)=11.90
10D+5(175-D)=1190
10D+875-5D=1190
5D+875=1190
5D=325 : that should be 315
D=65 : that should be 63
65+N=1190 : 63 + N = 175 ; it's the NUMBER of coins, not value
N=1125 : N = 112

I don't think I did this right but I'm not sure where I goofed......any suggestions?

Suggestion#1: be more careful!
Suggestion#2: CHECK to see if answer gives correct amount:
112 nickels = 112 * .05 = 5.60
63 dimes = 63 * .10 = 6.30
5.60 + 6.30 = 11.90 : capish?

 

[Gene]

You did everything right except there.
Suppose N wre five nickles and 65 were the number of dimes. That would total $6.75 but you can't say that 65+5=675 which is what you tried to do. I don't know what problem you used as a model but I'll bet your teacher never added apples and oranges. When you are adding or subtracting they MUST be the same units. If you add 6 inches to 1 foot you wouldn't say it was 7. You would change one of them to be the same as the other. 18 inches or 1.5 feet.
The equation that is all coins is the first one.