Question 118281
Let x=number of $5 bills; 5x=value of $5 bills
Then x+5=number of $10 bills; 10(x+5)=value of $10 bills
And x-2=number of $2 bills; 2(x-2)=value of $2 bills

Now we are told that:
5x+10(x+5)+2(x-2)=148  get rid of parens (distributive law)
5x+10x+50+2x-4=148 collect like terms

17x+46=148  subtract 46 from both sides

17x+46-46=148-46 collect like terms again
17x=102  divide both sides by 17
x=6----------------------------------number of $5 bills
x+5=6+5=11--------------------------number of $10 bills

x-2=6-2=4-------------------------number of $2 bills

CK

6*5+11*10+4*2=148

30+110+8=148
148=148


Hope this helps---ptaylor