Question 786864
ASSIGN Variables to all quantities.  Your exercise problem mentions and describes some different coins.  There are quartes, dimes, and nickels; the amount of money is $4.75.  


A way to pick the variables can be:
q = how many quarters
d = how many dimes
n = how many nickesl
All are variables, so far all unknown.  


TRANSLATE THE DESCRIPTIONS INTO NUMERIC EXPRESSIONS OR EQUATIONS

"ten fewer quarters than dimes", d-10=q.
Think about that to see if it makes sense.  Dimes... ten fewer.

"five fewer nickels than quarters", q-5=n.
Think carefully about this.

-------------------------If good so far, then continue--------------

The total money $4.75 is based on the count and value of the coins present.
q+d+n=4.75


Recheck the equations and neaten the system:
{{{highlight(q+d+n=4.75)}}}
{{{highlight(q=d-10)}}}
{{{highlight(n=q-5)}}}


Your next choice is, how do you want to solve the system?  This is three equations in three unknowns.