Let the number of coats Michael has = x
As given, Minnie gathers 3 times as many coats as Michael
So, Minnie has = 3x
Total number of coats = 52
Equation becomes,
[tex]x+3x=52[/tex]
[tex]4x=52[/tex]
[tex]x=13[/tex]
Hence, Michael contributed 13 coats.