Example 2 - converting between two currencies
Many journeys involve visits to more than one country.
Many European countries have the Euro as their currency so it is not necessary to convert currencies when travelling between these countries. Some countries in Europe, however, do not have the Euro as their currency and if travelling beyond Europe you will need to change currency each time you enter a new country.
Anne is going to Spain on holiday and then on to visit relatives in Switzerland. She has \(\pounds400\) spending money which she initially changes to Euros. (The exchange rate is \(\pounds1 = \euro1.58\))
She spends \(\euro350\) in Spain.
The remainder of her money she exchanges for Swiss Francs, the currency in Switzerland. (The exchange rate is \(1\,euro = 1.45\,Swiss\,francs\).
Question
How many \(Swiss\,francs\) does she receive?
Each time she exchanges money she is charged a commission of \(5\%\).
Answer
Going to Spain
The exchange rate is \(\pounds1 = \euro1.58\)
Amount of euros \( = 400 \times\,1.58 = \euro632\)
Commission charge\(= 5\%\,of\,632 = \euro31.60\)
Amount after commission\(= 632 鈭 31.60 = \euro600.40\)
Anne spent \(\euro350\) in Spain.
Amount she has remaining \(= \euro600.40 鈭 \euro350 = \euro250.40\)
Going to Switzerland
Normally you are only allowed to exchange notes and not coins. Therefore Anne will exchange \(\euro250\) to Swiss Francs as she goes to Switzerland.
The exchange rate is \(\euro1 = 1.45\) Swiss francs
Amount of Swiss francs \(= 250 \times 1.45 = 362.50\) Swiss francs
Commission charge\(= 5\%\,of\,362.50 = 18.13\) Swiss francs
Amount after commission \(= 362.50 鈭 18.13 = 344.37\) Swiss francs
Now try this question
Question
Ahmed is going to Sweden and Norway on holiday. He has \(\pounds500\) spending money which he initially changes to Swedish Krona. (The exchange rate is \( \pounds1 = 13 \) Swedish Krona)
He spends \(3\,700\) Swedish Krona in Sweden.
The remainder of his money he exchanges for Norwegian Krone. (The exchange rate is \(1\) Swedish Krona \(= 0.90 \)Norwegian Krone)
How many Norwegian Krone does he receive?
All his conversions are commission free.
Going to Sweden
The exchange rate is \(\pounds1 = 13\) Swedish Krona
Amount of Swedish Krona \(= 500 \times 13 = 6500\)
Ahmed spent \(3\,700\) Swedish Krona in Sweden.
Amount he has remaining \(= 6\,500 鈭 3\,700 = 2\,800\).
Going to Norway
The exchange rate is \(1\) Swedish Krona \(= 0.90\) Norwegian Krone
Amount of Norwegian Krone \(= 2\,800 \times 0.90 = 2\,520\)