Solution

Making Change

Show the problem again

In how many ways can you make 25 cents using any number of pennies, nickels, and dimes?

Worked solution

The answer is 12. Case on the number of dimes. Zero dimes: 0–5 nickels (6 ways). One dime: 15 cents remain, 0–3 nickels (4 ways). Two dimes: 5 cents remain, 0–1 nickels (2 ways). Pennies fill the rest uniquely each time: 6 + 4 + 2 = 12 ways. (Generating functions systematize this for harder versions like changing a dollar.)

Source: Standard coin-partition counting exercise from introductory combinatorics texts. Statement written for AxiomIQ.