Math Problem Statement

Sasa had some 20-cent and 50-cent coins. Let x be the total number of coins. Then, 7/8 x were 20-cent coins, and the rest, 1 - 7/8 = 1/8 x, were 50-cent coins. After Sasa spent $72.50 worth of 50-cent coins, which is equivalent to 72.50 / 0.50 = 145 50-cent coins, and 5/7 of the 20-cent coins, she had 2/7 x coins left. Find the total amount of money Sasa left.

Solution

Let xx be the total number of coins Sasa originally had.

Step 1: Determine the number of 20-cent and 50-cent coins.

  • The number of 20-cent coins is 78x\frac{7}{8}x.
  • The number of 50-cent coins is 18x\frac{1}{8}x.

Step 2: Account for the coins spent.

  • Sasa spent 145 of her 50-cent coins, leaving 18x145\frac{1}{8}x - 145 50-cent coins.
  • Sasa also spent 57\frac{5}{7} of her 20-cent coins, leaving 27×78x=14x\frac{2}{7} \times \frac{7}{8}x = \frac{1}{4}x 20-cent coins.

After spending these coins, the total number of coins left is given as 27x\frac{2}{7}x. So, the remaining coins consist of some 20-cent coins and some 50-cent coins:

(14x)+(18x145)=27x\left( \frac{1}{4}x \right) + \left( \frac{1}{8}x - 145 \right) = \frac{2}{7}x

Step 3: Set up the equation and solve for xx.

Simplify the left-hand side:

14x+18x145=27x\frac{1}{4}x + \frac{1}{8}x - 145 = \frac{2}{7}x

Find a common denominator for 14x\frac{1}{4}x and 18x\frac{1}{8}x:

28x+18x=38x\frac{2}{8}x + \frac{1}{8}x = \frac{3}{8}x

Thus, the equation becomes:

38x145=27x\frac{3}{8}x - 145 = \frac{2}{7}x

Step 4: Solve for xx.

Multiply both sides of the equation by 56 (the least common denominator of 8 and 7):

56×(38x145)=56×27x56 \times \left( \frac{3}{8}x - 145 \right) = 56 \times \frac{2}{7}x

This simplifies to:

21x8120=16x21x - 8120 = 16x

Now, subtract 16x16x from both sides:

5x=81205x = 8120

Finally, divide by 5:

x=1624x = 1624

Step 5: Calculate the remaining money.

  • The total number of 20-cent coins Sasa had originally is 78×1624=1421\frac{7}{8} \times 1624 = 1421 20-cent coins.
  • The total number of 50-cent coins Sasa had originally is 18×1624=203\frac{1}{8} \times 1624 = 203 50-cent coins.

After spending 145 50-cent coins, Sasa had 203145=58203 - 145 = 58 50-cent coins left.

After spending 57\frac{5}{7} of her 20-cent coins, she had 27×1421=406\frac{2}{7} \times 1421 = 406 20-cent coins left.

The total amount of money left is:

406×0.20+58×0.50=81.20+29=110.20406 \times 0.20 + 58 \times 0.50 = 81.20 + 29 = 110.20

Final Answer:

Sasa had $110.20 left.

Would you like a detailed explanation on any specific step? Here are some related questions:

  1. How do you find fractional parts of a number in general?
  2. Why is multiplying by the least common denominator helpful in solving equations with fractions?
  3. What would happen if Sasa had more or fewer 50-cent coins?
  4. How do you check that the solution satisfies all the conditions?
  5. How do you solve similar problems with three or more types of coins?

Tip: When dealing with coins or percentages, always track how fractions of the total change after each transaction.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Fractions
Linear Equations

Formulas

Fraction of total number of coins: (7/8)x for 20-cent coins and (1/8)x for 50-cent coins
Remaining coins after spending: (1/4)x for 20-cent coins, (1/8)x - 145 for 50-cent coins
Total remaining coins equation: (1/4)x + ((1/8)x - 145) = (2/7)x

Theorems

Basic Fractional Arithmetic
Linear Equation Solving

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10