This isnt typical math question but i didnt know where to ask so i ask here.

[CuriousGuy]

Before you begin reading,please note that my english isn't greatest and if you want to help,please read the whole ppst in order to fully understand the task at hand.If you decide to read i promise it is a very interesting puzzle for curious thinkers.


So basically there are 8 variables that hold starting values:

VarOne - 55
VarTwo - 65
VarThree - 60
VarFour - 55
VarFive - 50
VarSix - 45
VarSeven - 40
VarEight - 80

You have to add 5 points to each one of three of these variable,except VarEight that you can only give one point.For example you can choose VarFive,VarTwo and VarSeven and add them five points which would bring them to 55,70 and 45 or if you choose VarEight it would be 55,70 and 81.

It doesnt matter in which order u add , meaning it can be VarSeven,VarTwo,VarThree or VarTwo,VarSeven and then VarThree or any other way.You can also switch between variables in any order you want as long as there are at least three in combination.

You have 40 attempts to add numbers meaning that when you add to first three variables you have 39 more times to add again.

You must add to three variables each time,no more,no less, except when you run out of three then you start adding to two and if you run out of two, you add to one.

Again,you can add in whatever order you want meaning you can even add to same three variables over and over.

If you reach 20th attempt,be sure to add 10 points to VarFour and 10 points to VarFive and 5 points to VarEight.

The goal is to bring all variables to 100 in least amount of attempts (like i said you have 40 attempts).The order in which you add is the key so be carefull.

Once you bring variable to 100 you can't add to it anymore.

If you read all this,you are very patient person and im sure you will help.It's pretty interesting puzzle .

When you are done,post entire process of your work.

Thanks again!

 

[Dr.Peterson]

It seems like a pretty dull puzzle to me; it's too arbitrary. But I have a few ideas.

First, you have to add to V8 20 times; I think the problem will be the same if we say it starts at 0 and we add 5 each time like everything else.

Now, the sum of all the variables to start is 55+65+60+55+50+45+40+0 = 370; you want to reach 8*100 = 800, so the total to be added is 800 - 370 = 430. On each turn (until you start reducing) you add 15, so the minimum number of turns is 430/15 = 28.66..., i.e. 29.

Now there should be lots of possible solutions. I have no interest in pursuing the details, but I might try adding to the lowest numbers first, three at a time, and keep doing so until I found that I had to do something else.

 

[Otis]

It seems like a pretty dull puzzle to me; it's too arbitrary ... First, you have to add to V8 20 times ... On each turn (until you start reducing) you add 15, so the minimum number of turns is ... 29.

... there should be lots of possible solutions. I have no interest in pursuing the details ...

The solution is the least number of steps, so you must mean lots of ways to increase all variables to 100 in that number of steps.

I'm wondering if you missed some details. The puzzle increases V4,V5,V8 at step 20 (shown in red, below), so it's not necessary to add to V8 twenty times. We don't need to add 15 at each step, either.

I churned out the following, so my solution is: 26 steps. Maybe Denis or Jomo can best that.

     V1   V2   V3   V4   V5   V6   V7   V8
     55   65   60   55   50   45   40   80
------------------------------------------
1                    5    5              1
2                    5    5              1
3                    5    5              1
4                    5    5              1
5                    5    5              1
6                    5    5              1
7                    5    5              1
8                         5         5    1
9                              5    5    1
10                             5    5    1
11                             5    5    1
12                             5    5    1
13    5         5                        1
14    5    5                             1
15    5         5                        1
16    5                        5    5
17    5                        5    5
18    5                        5    5
19    5                        5    5
20    5             10   10    5    5    5
21    5    5    5
22         5    5              5
23         5    5                   5
24         5    5                   5
25         5    5              5
26         5    5
------------------------------------------
    100  100  100  100  100  100  100  100