Step 1:
A nickel is worth 5 cents. A dime is worth 10 cents. A quarter is worth 25 cents.
5 cents = $0.05
25 cents = $0.25
Step 2:
Number of nickels n = x
Number of quarters q = 27 - x
Step 3
Total cost of 27 nickels and quarters in his pocket, worth a total of $2.75.
[tex]\begin{gathered} 0.05x\text{ + 0.25(27-x) = 2.75} \\ 5x\text{ + 25(27 - x) = 275} \\ 5x\text{ + 675 - 25x = 275} \\ 675\text{ - 275 = 25x - 5x} \\ 400\text{ = 20x} \\ \text{x = }\frac{400}{20} \\ \text{ x = 20} \end{gathered}[/tex]
Number of nickels n = 20
Number of quarters q = 27 - 20 = 7
Final answer
Number of nickels n = 20
Number of quarters q = 7
