For problems like:
JimmyBobJoe has 8 red things, 7 blue things, 5 pink things, and 4 white things. What is the least number of objects he must pick to ensure having exactly 4 of each object?
Would it be 8+7+5+4 or 4+5+7+4?
And if the problem read: JimmyBobJoe has 8 red things, 7 blue things, 5 pink things, and 3 white things. What is the least number of objects he must pick to ensure having exactly 4 of a thing?
Would it be 13?
I always confuse myself on these things!
Easy Math Editor
This discussion board is a place to discuss our Daily Challenges and the math and science related to those challenges. Explanations are more than just a solution — they should explain the steps and thinking strategies that you used to obtain the solution. Comments should further the discussion of math and science.
When posting on Brilliant:
*italics*
or_italics_
**bold**
or__bold__
paragraph 1
paragraph 2
[example link](https://brilliant.org)
> This is a quote
\(
...\)
or\[
...\]
to ensure proper formatting.2 \times 3
2^{34}
a_{i-1}
\frac{2}{3}
\sqrt{2}
\sum_{i=1}^3
\sin \theta
\boxed{123}
Comments
Use the worst case scenario. He needs to pick 10 for the first case ( 3 colors each for the worst case and 1 more of either each color) and for the second scenario, it would be 13 ( 3 colors from each and one more from either of the 4 colors) .
Log in to reply
I miswrote question #1 and it should read "to ensure picking 4 of each object."
So shouldn't it be 8+7+5+4 and not 10??
Log in to reply
Let me get the question right. You have 8 reds, 7 blues, 5 pinks, and 4 whites. Question. What is the least number of objects he must pick to ensure picking 4 of the same color. Answer: Consider the worst case scenario. You picked a red, a blue, a pink and a white. Next round, you did the same. Third round , you did the same again. Now, you ended up having 3 of each colors; 3 reds, 3 blues, 3 pinks, and 3 whites. Talk about bad luck. So, your next pick of any color should get you or ensure a 4 of each color. Total= 3 reds+3blues+3pinks+3whites+ ( 1 of any of these colors)=13
Log in to reply
Sorry for the misunderstandings.
I read the question wrongly. For both cases the number of picks should be 13.
yes, it is 13