Let the number of dimes be x Let the number of quarters be y Value Value Type Number of of of of EACH ALL coin coins coin coins ------------------------------------------- dimes x $0.10 $0.10x quarters y $0.25 $0.25y ------------------------------------------- TOTALS 30 ----- $4.65 The first equation comes from the second column.x + y = 30 The second equation comes from the last column. 0.1x + 0.25y = 4.65 Get rid of decimals by multiplying every term by 100: 10x + 25y = 465 So we have the system of equations: . We solve by substitution. Solve the first equation for y: x + y = 30 y = 30 - x Substitute (30 - x) for y in 10x + 25y = 465 10x + 25(30 - x) = 465 10x + 750 - 25x = 465 -15x + 750 = 465 -15x = -285 x = 19 = the number of dimes. Substitute in y = 30 - x y = 30 - (19 y = 11 quarters. Checking: 19 dimes is $1.90 and 11 quarters is $2.75 That's 30 coins. And indeed $1.90 + $2.75 = $4.65 Edwin