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's define the problem and solve it step by step:

Step 1: Define Variables

  • Let xx be the total number of 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: Coins Left After Spending

  • Sasa spent 145 of her 50-cent coins, so the remaining number of 50-cent coins is: 18x145\frac{1}{8}x - 145
  • Sasa also spent 57\frac{5}{7} of her 20-cent coins. So the remaining 20-cent coins are: 78x57×78x=27×78x=28x=14x\frac{7}{8}x - \frac{5}{7} \times \frac{7}{8}x = \frac{2}{7} \times \frac{7}{8}x = \frac{2}{8}x = \frac{1}{4}x

Step 3: Total Coins Left

According to the problem, after spending, Sasa had 27x\frac{2}{7}x coins left. So the sum of the remaining 20-cent and 50-cent coins is: 14x+(18x145)=27x\frac{1}{4}x + \left( \frac{1}{8}x - 145 \right) = \frac{2}{7}x

Step 4: Solve for xx

Now, we solve the equation: 14x+18x145=27x\frac{1}{4}x + \frac{1}{8}x - 145 = \frac{2}{7}x First, find a common denominator for 14x\frac{1}{4}x and 18x\frac{1}{8}x: 14x=28x\frac{1}{4}x = \frac{2}{8}x So the equation becomes: 28x+18x145=27x\frac{2}{8}x + \frac{1}{8}x - 145 = \frac{2}{7}x Simplify the left side: 38x145=27x\frac{3}{8}x - 145 = \frac{2}{7}x Now, eliminate the fractions by multiplying through by 56 (the least common multiple of 8 and 7): 56×(38x145)=56×27x56 \times \left( \frac{3}{8}x - 145 \right) = 56 \times \frac{2}{7}x This gives: 21x8120=16x21x - 8120 = 16x Simplify: 21x16x=812021x - 16x = 8120 5x=81205x = 8120 x=1624x = 1624

Step 5: Find the Total Amount of Money Left

Now that we know x=1624x = 1624, we can find how many coins are left:

  • The number of remaining 20-cent coins is: 14×1624=406\frac{1}{4} \times 1624 = 406
  • The number of remaining 50-cent coins is: 18×1624145=203145=58\frac{1}{8} \times 1624 - 145 = 203 - 145 = 58

The total amount of money Sasa has left is:

  • From 20-cent coins: 406×0.20=81.20406 \times 0.20 = 81.20 dollars.
  • From 50-cent coins: 58×0.50=2958 \times 0.50 = 29 dollars.

Thus, the total amount of money Sasa has left is: 81.20+29=110.20 dollars81.20 + 29 = 110.20 \text{ dollars}

Final Answer:

Sasa has 110.20\boxed{110.20} dollars left.

Would you like further clarification or a deeper breakdown of any step?

Here are 5 related questions to explore:

  1. What is the importance of solving equations with fractions in this type of problem?
  2. How do you determine the number of remaining coins after spending a fraction of them?
  3. How would the solution change if the total amount spent had been different?
  4. What strategies can be used to simplify equations involving fractions?
  5. How do you check the consistency of your results in problems involving multiple variables?

Tip: When solving equations with fractions, finding a common denominator early on can simplify the process significantly.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Fractions
Equation Solving
Money and Coin Problems

Formulas

Total 20-cent coins: (7/8) * x
Total 50-cent coins: (1/8) * x
Equation: (1/4)x + ((1/8)x - 145) = (2/7)x

Theorems

Solving linear equations with fractions

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11