Question

bryan has some 3 cent stamps and some 4 cent stamps. what is the least number of stamps he can combine so the value of the stamps is 33 cents?

Answer 1

Answer:

The least number of stamps required is $9$

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the number of $3$ cent stamps be $x$ and $4$ cent stamps be $y$

We have

$3x+4y=33$

The minimum number is obtained when more  $4$ cent stamps are used

Here $y$ cannot be greater than $8$ since $\frac{33}{4}$

Substitute $y=8$

$3x+4\times 8=33\\\\3x=1\\\\x=\frac{1}{3}$

Not possible since $x$ is not a fraction

Substitute $y=7$

$3x+4\times 7=33\\\\3x=5\\\\x=\frac{5}{3}$

Not possible since $x$ is not a fraction

Substitute $y=6$

$3x+4\times 6=33\\\\3x=9\\\\x=\frac{9}{3}\\\\=3$

Possible

Hence minimum number of stamps is

$=x+y\\\\=3+6\\\\=9$