Which coins are in a piggy bank if all but 2 are nickels, all but 2 are dimes, and all but 2 are quarters?
Suppose there are n nickels, d dimes, and q quarters in the bank.
Then,
since all but two are nickels,
n+d+q-2=n
or
d+q=2
since all but two are dimes,
n+d+q-2=d
or
n+q=2
And since all but two are quarters,
n+d+q-2=q
or
n+d=2
We have this system of three equations and 3 unknowns:
Solve that system and get n=1, d=1, and q=1.
So you have 1 of each. You should have been able
to figure that out in your head, right? :-)
Edwin