# Math Help - combining different charges to equal particular sum

1. ## combining different charges to equal particular sum

I work in Accounts Receivable. Often we receive checks for particular payments that don’t reflect total amount due on the statement. The example below shows a payment for $7871.38. Which is the sum of the following charges,$123.66, $2.36, &$7745.36. Now the challenge is figuring out what combination of charges equal what the check was made out for. Right now we are using trial & error. Needless to say that is very time consuming. Is there an equation that exists that I could plug in all the numbers, do some math and figure this out more logically than trial an error?

Due $123.66; Due$6658.02
Due $142.36 Due$2.36;
Due $1236.07 Due$7745.36;
Due $6554.00 Total Due:$22,461.83

Payment \$7871.38

2. Well, I'm sure a "formula" is out of the question...a computer "search"
would be fastest...but then you may get 2 or 3 combos that work for
the same amount.
I say phone Mary Jane from the payer's accounts payable dept. and
ask her which amounts she intends to pay, and to please include the
invoice numbers next time