Question 236095
Dime = 0.1 = D
Nickel = 0.05 = N

D:N = 3:1 = 0.30 : 0.05

So we have a certain unknown number multiplied by 3 lots of Dimes plus 1 lot of Nickels equals 56.35 or using algebra:

x * (0.30 + 0.05) = 56.35

We need to know what x is so we rearrange by dividing both sides by 0.35 which gives x as 161.

This tells us that 161 coins were nickels and three times this amount were dimes. So 483 were dimes.

To double check:

161 * 0.05 = $8.05
483 * 0.10 = $48.30

Total = $56.35

Does this help?