still can't solve .32x + .20y = 3.92

it's my last math question for the day!!!!

What do you mean solve it?

suppose you bought some 32 cents stamps and some 20 cents stamps. you spent $3.92 for 16 stamps. how many of each stamp did you buy?

i got the equation--.32x + .20y = $3.92 but don't know how to solve for x and y

To solve the equation .32x + .20y = 3.92, let's start by getting rid of the decimals. Multiply both sides of the equation by 100 to eliminate the decimal points:

100 * (.32x + .20y) = 100 * 3.92
32x + 20y = 392

Now we have the equation in whole numbers. To isolate one variable, we can use the method of elimination or substitution. In this case, let's use the method of elimination.

To eliminate one variable, we need to find the coefficient that will make the two terms cancel each other out. In this equation, we can multiply the first equation by 5 and the second equation by 8 to ensure the coefficients of x will be equal:

5 * (32x + 20y) = 5 * 392
8 * (32x + 20y) = 8 * 392

This simplifies to:

160x + 100y = 1960
256x + 160y = 3136

Now we have a system of two linear equations:

160x + 100y = 1960
256x + 160y = 3136

We can solve this system by using either substitution or elimination. Let's use the method of elimination:

Multiply the first equation by -8 and the second equation by 5, which will make the coefficients of x equal:

-8 * (160x + 100y) = -8 * 1960
5 * (256x + 160y) = 5 * 3136

This simplifies to:

-1280x - 800y = -15680
1280x + 800y = 15680

Next, add the two equations together:

-1280x - 800y + 1280x + 800y = -15680 + 15680

The x and y terms cancel each other out, resulting in:

0 = 0

Since 0 = 0 is a true statement, it means that the two equations are dependent and represent the same line. This means there are infinitely many solutions to this system of equations. In other words, there is not a unique solution for x and y.

Therefore, any combination of x and y that satisfies the original equation .32x + .20y = 3.92 will be a valid answer.