# Thread: Help with problem solving

1. ## Help with problem solving

So, I'm trying to improve my problem solving skills.

One problem was that you have 10 bags and 1,000 dollars. Arrange the 10 bags so that if I ask for any amount of dollars, it can be given without opening any of the bags.

I struggled for a while and peaked at the answer.

1,2,4,8,16,32,64,128,256,489

How would you go about solving it? I just want to see the thought process in some hope I can improve my own.

Thanks for any help.

2. ## Re: Help with problem solving

Originally Posted by mark090480
So, I'm trying to improve my problem solving skills.

One problem was that you have 10 bags and 1,000 dollars. Arrange the 10 bags so that if I ask for any amount of dollars, it can be given without opening any of the bags.

I struggled for a while and peaked at the answer.

1,2,4,8,16,32,64,128,256,489

How would you go about solving it? I just want to see the thought process in some hope I can improve my own.

Thanks for any help.
are you aware of the binary number system?
any number can be expressed in the binary number system.