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#1 2006-08-04 22:42:56

coolwind
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Registered: 2005-10-30
Posts: 30

A combinations with repetition

(a)Determine the number of integer solutions of
a1+a2+a3+a4=32
where a1,a2,a3>0, 0<a4<=25

(b)Mary has two dozen each of n different colored beads.
If she can select 20 beads(with repetition of colors allowed)
in 230,230 ways,what is the value of n?
Thanksup

Last edited by coolwind (2006-08-08 03:29:52)

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#2 2006-08-06 06:00:35

luca-deltodesco
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Registered: 2006-05-05
Posts: 1,470

Re: A combinations with repetition

for (a) do they have to be distinct numbers, or can they be the same?


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#3 2006-08-06 07:37:37

Ricky
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Registered: 2005-12-04
Posts: 3,791

Re: A combinations with repetition

for b, what the heck is n?


"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."

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#4 2006-08-06 07:43:54

luca-deltodesco
Member
Registered: 2006-05-05
Posts: 1,470

Re: A combinations with repetition

im thinking b = n

but also, are the beads put back in the mix, or kept seperate?


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#5 2006-08-08 03:27:14

coolwind
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Registered: 2005-10-30
Posts: 30

Re: A combinations with repetition

luca-deltodesco wrote:

for (a) can they be the same?

Hi,luca-deltodesco
  the ans is yes.

Last edited by coolwind (2006-08-08 03:27:58)

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#6 2006-08-08 03:33:35

coolwind
Member
Registered: 2005-10-30
Posts: 30

Re: A combinations with repetition

luca-deltodesco wrote:

im thinking b = n

but also, are the beads put back in the mix, or kept seperate?

What 's the different?:D

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#7 2006-08-08 04:17:14

Ricky
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Registered: 2005-12-04
Posts: 3,791

Re: A combinations with repetition

Something is wrong in b.

If she has 2 dozen of each (24), and she is only picking 20 beads total, then it doesn't matter how many of each she has.  It could be infinite.

So she has n choices for the first bead, n choices for the second bead, n choices for the.... which is n*n*n....*n = n^20.  So n^20 = 230230 which comes out to 1.85399, which must be wrong.

Unless I'm missing something.


"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."

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#8 2006-08-09 02:10:17

krassi_holmz
Real Member
Registered: 2005-12-02
Posts: 1,905

Re: A combinations with repetition

(a)
If a1!=a2!=a3!=a4, then: 3258
If not: 4475
If you want a1<=a2<=a3<=a4, you will get 242 different solutions.
smile


IPBLE:  Increasing Performance By Lowering Expectations.

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#9 2006-08-10 01:52:50

coolwind
Member
Registered: 2005-10-30
Posts: 30

Re: A combinations with repetition

krassi_holmz wrote:

(a)
If a1!=a2!=a3!=a4, then: 3258
If not: 4475
If you want a1<=a2<=a3<=a4, you will get 242 different solutions.
smile

Right,the ans is 4475.
How did you count?up

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#10 2006-08-10 03:53:24

coolwind
Member
Registered: 2005-10-30
Posts: 30

Re: A combinations with repetition

Ricky wrote:

Something is wrong in b.

If she has 2 dozen of each (24), and she is only picking 20 beads total, then it doesn't matter how many of each she has.  It could be infinite.

So she has n choices for the first bead, n choices for the second bead, n choices for the.... which is n*n*n....*n = n^20.  So n^20 = 230230 which comes out to 1.85399, which must be wrong.

Unless I'm missing something.

Hi,Ricky
the ans is n=7.

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#11 2006-08-10 04:57:59

Ricky
Moderator
Registered: 2005-12-04
Posts: 3,791

Re: A combinations with repetition

coolwind, are you sure she doesn't have 1 dozen of each?


"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."

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#12 2006-08-11 00:05:59

coolwind
Member
Registered: 2005-10-30
Posts: 30

Re: A combinations with repetition

smile

Ricky wrote:

coolwind, are you sure she doesn't have 1 dozen of each?

Ricky,this problem is from my textbook(written by Ralph P.Grimaldi)

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#13 2006-08-21 05:08:40

krassi_holmz
Real Member
Registered: 2005-12-02
Posts: 1,905

Re: A combinations with repetition

I have a notebook in which the numberof solutions of such equations is given as a recursive formula and generating function.


IPBLE:  Increasing Performance By Lowering Expectations.

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