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

The least number of stamps required is
`9`

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
`(33)/(4) <9`

Substitute
`y=8`

`3x+4* 8=33\\\\3x=1\\\\x=(1)/(3)`

Not possible since
`x` is not a fraction

Substitute
`y=7`

`3x+4* 7=33\\\\3x=5\\\\x=(5)/(3)`

Not possible since
`x` is not a fraction

Substitute
`y=6`

`3x+4* 6=33\\\\3x=9\\\\x=(9)/(3)\\\\=3`

Possible

Hence minimum number of stamps is

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