Question

Jacob has 3 times as many nickels as half dollars. He has 50 fewer quarters than nickels. Altogether, Jacob has 209 coins. How many quarters does Jacob have?

Answer 1

n+q+h = 209
n = 3h
q = n-50
Now solve for q:
q+50 + q + (q+50)/3 = 209
he has 61 quarters

Answer 2

x + 3x + 3x - 50 = 7x - 50 = 209
7x = 259
x = 37
3 * 37 - 50 = 111 - 50 = 61