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Coin Conundrum / Puzzle
#6
There's no solution unless there's a coin denomination other than $1, $0.25, $0.10, $0.05 and $0.01.

Here's proof.
  • Observation 1: $1 coin is not one of the 6 coins. Because adding up to exactly $0.15 from 5 coins is impossible.
  • Observation 2: You can have at most 1 $0.50 coin. Because if you had more than 1 $0.50 coin then you could change for $1 bill.
  • Observation 3: You can have at most 1 $0.25 coin. Because if you had more than 1 $0.25 coin then you could change for $0.5.
    • Theory A: One of the 6 coins is a $0.50 coin.
      Implication: The other 5 coins add up to exactly $0.65.
      • Theory a: One of the 5 coins is a $0.25 coin.
        Implication: The other 4 coins add up to exactly $0.40.

        Then the 4 remaining coins must be all $0.10 coins. Because if they were a lesser demonination they would add up to less than $0.40.

        However this combination can produce exact change for $0.95 with 1 $0.50, 1 $0.25 and 2 $0.10 and therefore is wrong.

        Conclusion a: None of the 5 coins is a $0.25 coin.

        Implication: The highest possible denomination for the 5 coins is $0.10. However 5 * $0.10 < $0.65.
      Conclusion A: None of the 6 coins is a $0.50 coin.

    • Theory B: One of the 6 coins is a $0.25 coin.
      Implication: The other 5 coins add up to exactly $0.90. Since there cannot be more than 1 $0.25, the highest possible denomination of these 5 coins is $0.10.

      However 5 * $0.10 < $0.90.

      Conclusion B: None of the 6 coins is a $0.25 coin.

    Therefore the highest possible denomination for the 6 coins is $0.10.

    However 6 * $0.10 < $1.15.

Edit: damnit ninja
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Messages In This Thread
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by WayOfTime - 2011-12-28, 08:49 AM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by Locked - 2011-12-28, 09:06 AM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by nRxUs - 2011-12-28, 09:35 AM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by Riyuran - 2011-12-28, 03:48 PM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by Stereo - 2011-12-28, 03:49 PM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by happylight - 2011-12-28, 03:50 PM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by Stereo - 2011-12-28, 03:55 PM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by happylight - 2011-12-28, 04:03 PM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by Locked - 2011-12-28, 04:10 PM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by SaptaZapta - 2011-12-28, 04:24 PM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by Lugin - 2011-12-28, 08:57 PM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by modular - 2011-12-28, 11:36 PM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by Lugin - 2011-12-29, 09:34 PM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by Derosis - 2012-01-03, 07:27 AM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by modular - 2012-01-03, 02:49 PM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by Holypie - 2012-01-04, 12:24 AM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by modular - 2012-01-06, 06:37 PM
Coin Conundrum / Puzzle - by Derosis - 2012-01-06, 10:12 PM

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