November 2021
Problem of the Month

Too Many Choices



Listed below are ten advertisements for COKE ZERO from Safeway and King Soopers grocery stores.
Arrange the ten choices labeled A - J in order from least expensive to most expensive (in unit cost).


A.     Eighteen 12-ounce cans for $9.99




B.     Ten 7.5-ounce cans for $4.99




C.     Eight 12-ounce bottles for $4.99




D.     Six 16.9-ounce bottles for $4.50




E.     Six 7.5-ounce cans for $3.99




F.     One 2-liter bottle for $.99




G.     Four six packs of 16.9-ounce
        bottles for $10.00




H     Buy three 2-liter bottles at
        $2.19 each.
        Get two 2-liter bottles free




I.     Three twelve packs of 12-ounce
        cans for $10.00




J.     One 1.25 liter bottle for $1.49



Solution to the problem

Here is the solution:
 
  Ad     Total Ounces     Unit cost  
  F   67.628     .01464 per oz  
  H   338.14     .01943 per oz  
  I   432     .02315 per oz  
  G   405.6     .02465 per oz  
  J   42.2675     .03525 per oz  
  D   101.4     .04438 per oz  
  A   216     .04625 per oz  
  C   96     .05198 per oz  
  B   75     .06653 per oz  
  E   45     .08867 per oz  

You must use the conversion
1 liter = 33.814 fluid ounces.



Correctly solved by:

1. Veena Mg Bangalore, Karnataka, India
2. Ivy Joseph Pune, Maharashtra, India
3. Dr. Hari Kishan D.N. College,
Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
4. Trace Hadley Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming
5. Colin (Yowie) Bowey Beechworth, Victoria, Australia


Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher