Brain Teaser *answer*

[WoodenJefferson]

 

What is the fewest combination and denominations of US Coins you can carry to make the correct change for any amount between .01¢ and .99¢?

[zrlevin]

I'm not quite sure about the phrasing of the question, but how about this (highlight to view):

 

4 1c

1 5c

4 10c

1 50c

[WoodenJefferson]

I don't see any coppers in the mix.

[gbsten]

 

What is the fewest combination and denominations of US Coins you can carry to make the correct change for any amount between .01¢ and .99¢?

 

I make it seven!

[Dwaine]

1 0.50

1 0.25

2 0.10

4 0.01

[bartlesvilleok]

1 0.50

1 0.25

2 0.10

4 0.01

 

How would you make change (ie 17 cents) with that

[jackson64]

or even 9c for that matter....but I believe he is on the right track..just add 1 nickel and he's got it..

[WoodenJefferson]

1 0.50

1 0.25

2 0.10

4 0.01

 

Two of these denominations and amounts are correct, but I'm not going to say which 2.

[michael]

usually a few cents and a couple of quarters maybe a dime and nickel

 

i spend the change in my pocket as i get it to keep it low and sometimes i have none

 

 

 

[jesbroken]

Woody, try this.

1 half

1 quarter

1 dime

2 nickels

4 pennies

 

Jim

[WoodenJefferson]

The fewest number of coins you can carry to do that is ten, consisting of

 

3 three quarters,

2 two dimes,

1 one nickel,

4 and four pennies....thanks for playing.

 

If someone can come up with another valid amount...shoot!

 

[TomB]

Your question is confusing because in your initial post you ask for the fewest combination of denominations while in your subsequent answer you list the fewest number of individual coins. These are two different questions.

 

If one were to assume that you actually want the fewest number of individual coins, then I believe jesbroken has a valid answer using nine coins, which is fewer than the ten coins posted. However, the number can be made even smaller if one were to use the following eight coins-

 

(1) cent

(1) two-cent piece

(1) three-cent piece

(1) five-cent nickel or half-dime

(1) dime

(1) twenty-cent piece

(1) quarter

(1) half dollar

 

Doing it this way also allows someone to carry no more than a single coin from any denomination.

[WoodenJefferson]

I believe jesbroken has a valid answer using nine coins, which is fewer than the ten coins posted.

 

I checked the math (1-99) and jesbroken is correct, I missed this one.

[Conder101]

Here's a solution with eight coins six denominations.

 

2 $0.01

1 $0.02

1 $0.05

2 $0.10

1 $0.20

1 $0.50

[bartlesvilleok]

how about 8 coins?

 

1 half

1 quarter

1 dime

2 nickels

1 2cent

2 pennies

[WoodenJefferson]

[TomB]

Since three of us have come up with eight coins, can anyone come up with seven coins?