Related papers: How many ways can you make change: Some easy proof…
Assume you an infinite supply of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters (or some other finite set of denominations which are relatively prime). Let CH(n) be the number of ways to make change of n cents. We present a simple unified exposition…
Given a set of coins arranged in a line, we remove heads-up coins one at a time and flip any adjacent coins after each removal. The coin-removal problem is to determine for which arrangements of coins it is possible to remove all of the…
We discuss coin-weighing problems with a new type of coin: a chameleon. A chameleon coin can mimic a fake or a real coin, and it can choose which coin to mimic for each weighing independently. We consider a mix of $N$ coins that include…
Let $R(n,k)$ denote the number of permutations of ${1,2,...,n}$ with $k$ alternating runs. In this note we present an explicit formula for the numbers $R(n,k)$.
There are many papers written on the Two Envelopes Problem that usually study some of its variations. In this paper we will study and compare the most significant variations of the problem. We will see the correct decisions for each player…
As in many coin puzzles, we have several identical-looking coins, with one of them fake and the rest real. The real coins weigh the same. Our fake coin is special in that it can change its weight. The coin can pretend to be a real coin, a…
We introduce a new type of coin: \textit{the alternator}. The alternator can pretend to be either a real or a fake coin (which is lighter than a real one). Each time it is put on a balance scale it switches between pretending to be either a…
This work deals with a classic problem: "Given a set of coins among which there is a counterfeit coin of a different weight, find this counterfeit coin using ordinary balance scales, with the minimum number of weighings possible, and…
We introduce $p$-derivations and give a few basic ways in which they act like derivatives by numbers.
Different ways to describe a permutation, as a sequence of integers, or a product of Coxeter generators, or a tree, give different choices to define a simple permutation. We recollect few of them, define new types of simple permutations,…
Here, we present a variant of the sliding coins game. Two coins are placed on distinct squares of a semi-infinite linear board with squares numbered $0, 1, 2, dots, $. Two players take turns and move a coin to a lower unoccupied square.…
Sums of the form $\sum_{N_m=q}^{n}{\cdots \sum_{N_1=q}^{N_2}{a_{(m);N_m}\cdots a_{(1);N_1}}}$ where the $a_{(k);N_k}$'s are same or distinct sequences appear quite often in mathematics. We will refer to them as recurrent sums. In this…
We address a well-known problem in combinatorics involving the identification of counterfeit coins with a systematic approach. The methodology can be applied to cases where the total number of coins is exceedingly large such that brute…
Let R(n,k) denote the number of permutations of {1,2,...,n} with k alternating runs. We find a grammatical description of the numbers R(n,k) and then present several convolution formulas involving the generating function for the numbers…
This puzzle, often called the "Reverse the Triangle Puzzle," appears regularly in puzzle books. Four rows consisting of 1 coin in row 1, 2 coins in row 2, 3 coins in row 3, and 4 coins in row 4 form the shape of a triangle. What is the…
We use recurrence equations (alias difference equations) to enumerate the number of formula-representations of positive integers using only addition and multiplication, and using addition, multiplication, and exponentiation, where all the…
Consider an exchange mechanism which accepts diversified offers of various commodities and redistributes everything it receives. We impose certain conditions of fairness and convenience on such a mechanism and show that it admits unique…
We consider Flipping Coins, a partizan version of the impartial game Turning Turtles, played on lines of coins. We show the values of this game are numbers, and these are found by first applying a reduction, then decomposing the position…
We study the number of factorizations of a positive integer, where the parts of the factorization are of l different colors (or kinds). Recursive or explicit formulas are derived for the case of unordered and ordered, distinct and…
We give optimal solutions to all versions of the popular counterfeit coin problem obtained by varying whether (i) we know if the counterfeit coin is heavier or lighter than the genuine ones, (ii) we know if the counterfeit coin exists,…