16Hit1600
AlgebraMediumCounting notes of two values

Algebra practice question

A cash box holds 23 notes, all either $5 or $20, worth $250 in total. How many $20 notes are in the box?

Answer: 9

Let x be the number of $20 notes: 5(23 − x) + 20x = 250 → 115 + 15x = 250 → 15x = 135 → x = 9.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 14
14 is the number of $5 notes.
If you answered 12.5
12.5 is 250 ÷ 20, ignoring the $5 notes.
If you answered 11.5
11.5 assumes equal numbers of each.

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