Question

Damon has 5 dimes and some nickels in his pocket worth a total of $1.20. To find the number of nickels Damon has, a student wrote the equation 5n+50-1.20. Find the error in the student's equation.

Answer 1

In the student's equation, there are many problems. Nickels are worth 5 cents, represented by .05, not 50 dollars. Also, the coeffient 5 should not be placed there, it belongs with 5(.1), as we already know how many dimes there are. If we were able to make a new one, it would be, 5(.1)+.05n=1.20.