text: OK - this is easier this way - The number of nickles is one less than 3 times the sum of dimes and nickles.  Get rid of that one less by adding another nickle to the calculation and making it 64 coins and $5.50.  \n\nNow the equation is 3 times the amount of nickles to the sum of the amount of quarters and dimes makes $5.50.\n\nBasically that means 3 times a number, plus that same number (which is really three times and one time is 4 times) makes 64 coins. So to make it easier, 4 times that number makes 64 coins. - and when you divide 64 by 4 - you get 16.\n\nNow back to the original equation - you have 3 times as many nickles as you have the sum of dimes and quarters - so 3 times 16 is 48.  48 times $.05 is $2.40.\n\nSubtract $2.40 from $5.50 and you are left with $3.10.  \n\nNow, 16 coins have to equal that $3.10.  if there were an equal amount of dimes and quarters the amount would be $2.80 - so there must be more quarters than dimes to make that amount higher - the answer is 10quarters - 6 DIMES\n\nI'm sorry about the explanation - its usually easier for someone to show another than to type it to them. :)