Question 105808
For the fewest coins you want to use the highest denomination coins(more quarters). 
You start with 2 quarters, 9 nickels, and 8 pennies. 
8 pennies = 1 nickel, 3 pennies. 
Now you have 2 quarters, 10 nickels, and 3 pennies. 
10 nickels = 2 quarters.
Now you have 4 quarters, 3 pennies. 
That's kind of wording your way through the problem. I'm not sure what level of algebra you're working on so that may be enough.