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-   -   Problem about stamps (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=44603)

  • Nov 24, 2006, 09:01 AM
    mathgrl_3905
    Problem about stamps
    I could use a little help with figuring out this word problem.
    Could anyone help me?

    James bought 80 postage stamps for which he paid $18.40. Some were 1 cent stamps and some were 33 cent stamps. How many of each kind did he buy?
  • Nov 24, 2006, 09:06 AM
    charlie123
    OK - this what I figured out. I'm not sure if there is more than one answer...

    55 .33 stamps
    25 .01 stamps


    55x.33=18.15
    25x.01=.25

    18.15+.25=$18.40

    HOpe this helps!
  • Nov 24, 2006, 09:16 AM
    mathgrl_3905
    How would you get that? You just guessed until you got it right?
  • Nov 24, 2006, 09:39 AM
    galactus
    I agree with Charlie.

    Let x=number of one-cent stamps
    Let y=number of 33-cent stamps

    x+y=80... [1]
    0.01x+0.33y=18.40... [2]

    Solve [1] for y: y=80-x

    Sub into [2]: 0.01x+0.33(80-x)=18.4

    26.4-0.32x=18.4

    0.32x=8

    x=25

    Therefore, there are 25 one-cent stamps and 55 33-cent stamps.

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