<PRE><B>Question 230461</B>
Let n be the number of nickles and q be the number of quarters.  Then from the problem above we get the system of equations:&lt;br&gt;

n+q = 105
0.05n+0.25q = 17.25&lt;br&gt;

Just because I hate working with decimals I&#39;m going to multiply the second equation by 100 to get rid of the decimals.&lt;br&gt;

5n + 25q = 1725&lt;br&gt;

Now we can solve the system by using the substitution method.  First solve the first equation for n.&lt;br&gt;

n = 105-q.&lt;br&gt;

Now substitute that equation into the second equation and solve for q. I will leave you to do the algebra but you should get that q = 60.  Now substitute that back into the equation we found for n and you should find that n = 45.&lt;br&gt;

So Sonia has 60 quarters and 45 nickles. </PRE>