Coin problem - all possible amounts from a set of coins

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a combinatorial problem involving the calculation of possible monetary amounts using a set of coins, specifically dimes and quarters. The original poster explores the values that can be formed with these coins and seeks a more systematic approach to identify unique amounts while accounting for duplicates and invalid combinations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the original poster's equation for calculating amounts and the potential for duplicates. Some suggest examining the properties of the sums based on the types of coins used. Others raise questions about the validity of certain combinations and the total count of unique amounts.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the nature of duplicates and unique values. There is acknowledgment of the need to clarify the homework constraints regarding the use of coins, which influences the interpretation of valid combinations.

Contextual Notes

There is a specific homework requirement stating that at least one coin must be used, which affects the counting of unique amounts. Participants are also reflecting on their interpretations of the problem and the implications of including or excluding certain combinations.

musicgold
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Homework Statement
Given 8 dimes (10 ¢ coins) and 3 quarters (25 ¢ coins), how many different amounts
of money can be created using one or more of the 11 coins?
Relevant Equations
m = 10d + 25q , where 0 <= d < 9 and 0 <= q < 4
where d is number of dimes and q is number of quarters used to get a m.
While I found 26 possible values of m with the trial and error method, I wanted to find an elegant approach to solve such problems.

I think the following equation represents the problem:
m = 10d + 25q where ## 0 <= d < 9 ## and ## 0 <= q < 4 ##
where d is the number of dimes and q is number of quarters used to get a m.

As d can take 9 values and q can take 4 values, m can take 36 possible values, some of which will be duplicate. Note that the combination d=0, q= 0 is invalid.

I am not able to find a way to quickly isolate the potential duplicate values.
When d =5, m can have 4 values 50, 75, 100 and 125 cents. 50 and 75 will also be created with only 2 or 3 quarters. So I have found 2 duplicates, and 1 invalid amounts out of 10.

How should I move forward from here?

Thanks
 
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I would look at the quarters. Their sums either end in 0 or 5.
 
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If two combinations, ##d_1, q_1## and ##d_2, q_2## give the same ##m##, then
##10d_1+25q_1=10d_2+25q_2##
##10(d_1-d_2)=25(q_2-q_1)##.
I'd look at how many different solutions this equation has. ##q_2-q_1## has to be ##2##, etc.
 
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Hill said:
If two combinations, ##d_1, q_1## and ##d_2, q_2## give the same ##m##, then
##10d_1+25q_1=10d_2+25q_2##
##10(d_1-d_2)=25(q_2-q_1)##.
I'd look at how many different solutions this equation has. ##q_2-q_1## has to be ##2##, etc.
Got it. Thanks! 👍
As shown below there are 8 duplicates.
I also realized that there are actually 27 unique values of m and not 26.

27 unique values + 8 duplicates + 1 invalid = 36 combinations
1705631959839.png
 
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I think you left out the combination of no coins = zero cents so there are 28 unique and 8 dupes. Zero is a legitimate amount of money (I know 'cause my bank balance went there a couple of times in my younger days :smile:
 
phinds said:
I think you left out the combination of no coins = zero cents so there are 28 unique and 8 dupes. Zero is a legitimate amount of money (I know 'cause my bank balance went there a couple of times in my younger days :smile:
The homework statement says “using one or more of the 11 coins”.
 
Two quarters are the same as 5 dimes. So points (d,q) which differ by integer multiples of (5, -2) give the same m.
 
Frabjous said:
The homework statement says “using one or more of the 11 coins”.
Ah HA ! I need to learn how to read. :smile:
 
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