Solving Word Problems

[white99gs]

I would like help on how to start solving this equation:
Two boys had 350 canceled stamps. They sold some for $.03 each and others for $.05 each and recieved in all $11.60. How many stamps of each kind did they sell?

First I would like to know what x would be. Then I will go from there.

Thanks for your time,
white99gs

 

[Loren]

Name things. Be sure you distinguish between the number of stamps and the value of the stamps. For instance, if you decide to let x represent the NUMBER of 3 cent stamps then the VALUE of those 3 sent stamps is .03x. You can do something similar involving y for the 5 cent stamps. Then build one equation on the basis that the number of the 3 centers plus the number of the 5 centers is 350. Build another equation on the basis that the value of the 3 centers plus the value of the 5 centers was $11.60.