Question 968860
<pre>

Let the number of quarters be x
Then the number of nickels, is x+16
                      Value      Value
Type       Number       of         of
 of          of        EACH       ALL
coin        coins      coin      coins
-------------------------------------------
nickel      x+16       $0.05   $0.05(x+16)
quarter      x         $0.25   $0.25x
-------------------------------------------
                     TOTALS    $5.90

 The equation comes from the column on the right

  {{{(matrix(4,1,Value,of,ALL,nickels))}}}{{{""+""}}}{{{(matrix(4,1,Value,of,ALL,quarters))}}}{{{""=""}}}{{{(matrix(4,1,Total,value,of,coins))}}}

0.05(x+16) + 0.25x = 5.90

Get rid of decimals by multiplying every term by 100

     5(x+16) + 25x = 590

     5x + 80 + 25x = 590

               30x = 510

                 x = 17 = the number of quarters

The number of quarter is x+16 or 17+16 or 33 nickels

Checking:  17 quarters = 17*$0.25 = $4.25
           33 nickels  = 33*$0.05 =  1.65
           ------------------------------
                            TOTAL =  5.90

Edwin</pre>