To solve this problem, let’s define the number of nickels Calvin has as N. According to the question, Calvin has twice as many dimes as nickels, which means he has 2N dimes.
The total number of coins Calvin has is 4. This can be expressed with the equation:
N + 2N = 4
Combining like terms, we get:
3N = 4
To find the value of N, we divide both sides by 3:
N = 4/3
Since the number of nickels must be a whole number, we realize that he cannot have a total of 4 coins with the given ratio of dimes to nickels. This means there might be a misunderstanding in interpreting the total or the conditions.
Given the choices – 16, 32, 10, 24, or 80 – none align with the calculations if we strictly follow the ratio and total provided in the question. Therefore, it’s essential to reassess the scenario as none of the provided options can be correct under these stipulations.