Let the number of fives be x Let the number of tens be y Value Value Type Number of of of of EACH ALL bill bills bill bills ------------------------------------------- fives x $5 $5x tens y $10 $10y ------------------------------------------- TOTALS 124 ----- $840 The first equation comes from the second column.x + y = 124 The second equation comes from the last column. 5x + 10y = 840 So we have the system of equations: . We solve by substitution. Solve the first equation for y: x + y = 124 y = 124 - x Substitute (124 - x) for y in 5x + 10y = 840 5x + 10(124 - x) = 840 5x + 1240 - 10x = 840 -5x + 1240 = 840 -5x = -400 x = 80 = the number of fives. Substitute in y = 124 - x y = 124 - (80) y = 44 tens. Checking: 80 fives is $400 and 44 tens is $440 That's 124 coins. And indeed $400 + $440 = $840 Edwin