Question

a local toy store sells whistles in packages of 3,6,or 12. if you need 30 whistles for a party, in how many diffrent combinations can you buy them?

Answer 1

hi hero

Answer 2

Hi :D

Answer 3

how r u long time no see lol

Answer 4

I'm good. Where have you been?

Answer 5

i started working and been busy like crazy i started new classes as well so been super busy

Answer 6

I can imagine

Answer 7

Satellite, how do you do this?

Answer 8

these r so confusing
its like i knkow how to do it but dont know how

Answer 9

dunno i am just trying stuff out

Answer 10

3*10
6*5
2*12+6
2*12+3*2
6*4+6
6*4+3*2
6*3+12
...

Answer 11

count them

Answer 12

8?

Answer 13

6*3+3*4
6*2+3*6

Answer 14

There's something about this I don't like

Answer 15

like what?

Answer 16

The "counting" part

Answer 17

i wonder is there is a slick way, because i don't see it

\[2\times 12+6\]
\[2\times 12+ 3 + 3\]
\[12+2\times 6\]
\[12+6+2\times 3\]
\[12+6\times 3\]
\[5\times 6\]
\[4\times 6+2\times 3\]
\[3\times 6+4\times 3\]
\[2\times 6+6\times 3\]
\[1\times 6+8\times 3\]
\[10\times 3\]

Answer 18

still don't see a slick way but i am sure there is one

Answer 19

think about it like this: there are 3 types of combinations that will yield our desired result. type 1 is where all the bags have the same amount. type 2 is where the bags have two amounts. type 3 is where the bags have 3 different amounts.

Answer 20

iraqichick, what have you been learning in class?

Answer 21

this is the first week we do these its like mind stuff

Answer 22

there are 12 ways, and since that is small enough i guess you just count

Answer 23

problem solving strategies

Answer 24

i like the strategy of brute force for this one

Answer 25

but still i dont get it its like getting more confusing with every problem!

Answer 26

I can imagine

Answer 27

so nobody knows how to solve this??

Answer 28

count all the different combination that give you 30 items.

Answer 29

so 11?

Answer 30

i think it is 12 let me check again

Answer 31

11 was wrong lol

Answer 32

the way the exaple does it is they made a table but its so confusing cuz they dont tell u wat they did or how they solved. and yest its 12

Answer 33

i think 12

Answer 34

I would like to see that table

Answer 35

the key to thinking about this is that the sum must be 30. In all combinatorics problems, there will be a constraint similar to this. You just have to reason through it, and count them up

Answer 36

I would have figured it out. I just assumed there was some kind of formula associated with it

Answer 37

there are some counting rules, but the sum does not allow for them to be used

Answer 38

two ways if you have 2 packs of 12 they are

2 packs of 12 and 1 pack of 6
2 packs of 12 and 2 packs of 3

4 ways using on pack of 12 they are

1 pack of 12, 1 pack of 6 and 4 packs of 3
1 pack of 12, 2 packs of 6 and 2 packs of 3
1 pack of 12 and 6 packs of 3
1 pack of 12 and 3 packs of 6


then if no packs of 12 are used you can use
5 packs of six
4 packs of six
3 packs of six
2 packs of six
1 packs of six
0 packs of six

total of 12

Answer 39

Combinations is definitely not one of my favorite math topics