<PRE><B>Question 542374</B>
&lt;br&gt;&lt;font face=&quot;Tahoma&quot;&gt;Our two variables are:&lt;br&gt;

n number of nickels&lt;br&gt;

d number of dimes&lt;br&gt;

Our two equations are now:&lt;br&gt;

{{{n+d=50}}}&lt;br&gt;

{{{.05*n+.10*d=4.15}}}&lt;br&gt;

We can then solve this system of two equations by elimination or substitution.&lt;br&gt;

I will try substitution.  I will solve for n in the first equation:&lt;br&gt;

{{{n=50-d}}}&lt;br&gt;

Then I will multiply the second equation by 100 to make it easier to deal with:&lt;br&gt;

{{{5n+10d=415}}}&lt;br&gt;

Then I will substitute 50-d in for n in our new equation:&lt;br&gt;

{{{5*(50-d)+10d=415}}}&lt;br&gt;

{{{250-5d+10d=415}}}&lt;br&gt;

{{{250+5d=415}}}&lt;br&gt;

{{{5d=165}}}&lt;br&gt;

{{{d=33}}}&lt;br&gt;

Thus we now know that we have 33 dimes! (which is the answer)&lt;br&gt;

And of course, we also know that we have 17 nickels.&lt;br&gt;

You can easily double check this by using our original second equation.&lt;br&gt;

I hope this helps!&lt;br&gt;</PRE>