# Object Picking

For problems like:

JimmyBobJoe has 8 red things, 7 blue things, 5 pink things, and 4 white things. What is the least number of objects he must pick to ensure having exactly 4 of each object?

Would it be 8+7+5+4 or 4+5+7+4?

And if the problem read: JimmyBobJoe has 8 red things, 7 blue things, 5 pink things, and 3 white things. What is the least number of objects he must pick to ensure having exactly 4 of a thing?

Would it be 13?

I always confuse myself on these things!

Note by Asher Joy
7 years ago

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Use the worst case scenario. He needs to pick 10 for the first case ( 3 colors each for the worst case and 1 more of either each color) and for the second scenario, it would be 13 ( 3 colors from each and one more from either of the 4 colors) .

- 7 years ago

I miswrote question #1 and it should read "to ensure picking 4 of each object."

So shouldn't it be 8+7+5+4 and not 10??

- 7 years ago

Let me get the question right. You have 8 reds, 7 blues, 5 pinks, and 4 whites. Question. What is the least number of objects he must pick to ensure picking 4 of the same color. Answer: Consider the worst case scenario. You picked a red, a blue, a pink and a white. Next round, you did the same. Third round , you did the same again. Now, you ended up having 3 of each colors; 3 reds, 3 blues, 3 pinks, and 3 whites. Talk about bad luck. So, your next pick of any color should get you or ensure a 4 of each color. Total= 3 reds+3blues+3pinks+3whites+ ( 1 of any of these colors)=13

- 7 years ago

Yes...I understand that for question #2...but I'm talking about #1. JBJ has to pick 4 of EACH object...

Sorry for the misunderstandings.

- 7 years ago

I read the question wrongly. For both cases the number of picks should be 13.

- 7 years ago

yes, it is 13

- 7 years ago