DAY 426

LOOSE CHANGE
Credit: GAMES Magazine
July, 1983
Jerry Weinberg

You probably collect a handful of change (pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters) every day. Which coin, on average, will you receive the least of - and why?

Answer:

Nickels ............. Suppose that 99 people go into a store, one after another, and purchase items costing 1 cent, 2 cents, 3 cents .......... through 99 cents, giving the storekeeper a $1 bill in each case. Assuming the storekeeper has sufficient pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters, and distributes them in the standard manner (a dime instead of two nickels, etc.), the change will break down thus: 200 pennies, 40 nickels, 80 dimes, and 150 quarters. 

If you still have doubts, try holding your change aside for a week or two, and see for yourself.