Question 961845
<pre>

Let the number of nickels be x
Then the number of dimes, using
ONE PART = TOTAL MINUS OTHER PART,
is 53-x.
                      Value      Value
Type       Number       of         of
 of          of        EACH       ALL
coin        coins      coin      coins
-------------------------------------------
nickels      x         $0.05    $0.05x
dimes      53-x        $0.10    $0.10(53-x)
-------------------------------------------
TOTALS      53        -----     $3.65

 The equation comes from the column on the right

  {{{(matrix(4,1,Value,of,ALL,nickels))}}}{{{""+""}}}{{{(matrix(4,1,Value,of,ALL,dimes))}}}{{{""=""}}}{{{(matrix(5,1,Total,value,of,ALL,coins))}}}

 0.05x + 0.10(53-x) = 3.65

Get rid of decimals by multiplying every term by 100:

     5x + 10(53-x) = 365

    5x + 530 - 10x = 365

         -5x + 530 = 365

               -5x = -165

                 x = 33 = the number of nickels.

The number of dimes is 53-x or 53-33 or 20 dimes.

Checking:  33 nickels is $1.65 and 20 dimes is $2.00
            That's 53 coins.
            And indeed $1.65 + $2.00 = $3.65
Edwin</pre>