sheila has a total of 32 nickels and dimes worth $2.50. How many nickels does she have?

I have interpreted this question differently.

Sheila has 32 coins all together.  They are all nickels 5c and dimes 10c.  There total value is $250

How many nickels does she have?

Let n be the number of nickels and let d be the number of dimes.

n+d=32      (1)

5n+10d=250    divide through by 5

n+2d=50    (2)

Solve equations 1 and 2 simultaneously.  Start with (2)-(1)

$$\begin{array}{rlll} n+2d&=&50\quad&(2)\\ \underline{n+d}&=&\underline{32}\quad&(1) Now \;subtract\\ d&=&18} \end{array}\\\\ \begin{array}{rlll} n+18&=&32\;\; therefore\\ n&=&14 \end{array}\\$$

check   14+18=32 and  5*14+10*18=70+180=250=$250    correct

So Sheila has 14 nickels  

I think you meant to put: How many dimes does she have?

Nickels are 5 cents: 32 nickels*0.05 [5 cents] = $1.60

$2.50 - $1.60 = $0.90

Dimes are 10 cents: 0.10*9 = $0.90 --> Sheila has 9 dimes.

I think Melody's interpretation is the correct one, but I can see how Aziz might have interpreted it a little differently, too!!!

Punctuation and clarity ARE important........

For instance......

Let's eat, grandmother!!!    ...is different from.......

Let's eat grandmother!!!!

Good one CPhill!You remembered!?Nice!!

Now you have a proof to show Zegroes and many others who say

                                        FOSSILS DONT HAVE A GOOD MEMORY!