Question 221298
A coin operated washing machine contains $19.95 in nickels and quarters. If there is one less nickel than 3 times the number of quarters, how many of each are there? 


Let the amount of quarters be Q


Since there is one less nickel than 3 times the number of quarters, then the amount of nickels = 3Q - 1


Now, since the value of the nickels and quarters is $19.95, we'll have:


.25(Q) + .05(3Q - 1) = 19.95


.25Q + .15Q - .05 = 19.95


.4Q - .05 = 19.95


.4Q = 19.95 + .05


.4Q = 20


The amount of quarters, or Q = {{{20/.4}}} = {{{highlight_green(50)}}}


The amount of nickels = {{{highlight_green(149)}}} ---- (3 * 50 - 1 )