Kevin has $4.85 in nickels and dimes. If he has 34 fewer dimes than nickels, how many coins (nickels and dimes) does he have altogether?

Here are some ways you can figure out the prob

n = d + 34

5n + 10d = 485

etc another method:

Set the 34 more nickels aside.

--> pairs of 1n & 1d each worth 15 cents & a total of $3.15 ($4.85 - $1.70)

315/15 = 21 pairs

--> 21 dimes and 55 nickels