Reply To: Programming
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I have set one of Babbage’s confounded contraptions to the task and, as yet, it has only provided a partial solution to the problem at hand. Calculations have been performed including the following coins of the realm: crown, half-crown, florin, shilling, sixpence, thre’pence, penny, ha’penny and farthing. Calculations have proceeded accompanied by the sounding of bells at all unholy hours as the device arrived at each partial solution.
For brevity, I have limited the number of ha’pennies and farthings to have a total value of one penny, or less. Other than that, no consideration has been given to what may be considered legal tender. I would suggest consulting with Sir John Herschel, in his role as Master of the Mint, on that matter. The full solution, including all combinations of ha’pennies and farthings has proved, due to the multiplicity of solutions involved, unattainable in an acceptable time and with the limited cranking resource available. However, I provide sample of the output from the device so far. I’d be most willing to build an improved engine specific to the task in hand and provide a full solution for a modest investment on your part.
Unfortunately I am unable to provide details of the engine due to the complexity of its construction.
I remain your humble servant Rick OShea.
1: 4 x 5/- + 0 x 2/6 + 0 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 0 x 6d + 0 x 3d + 0 x 1d + 0 x 1/2d + 0 x 1/4d
2: 3 x 5/- + 2 x 2/6 + 0 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 0 x 6d + 0 x 3d + 0 x 1d + 0 x 1/2d + 0 x 1/4d
3: 3 x 5/- + 1 x 2/6 + 1 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 1 x 6d + 0 x 3d + 0 x 1d + 0 x 1/2d + 0 x 1/4d
4: 3 x 5/- + 1 x 2/6 + 1 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 0 x 6d + 2 x 3d + 0 x 1d + 0 x 1/2d + 0 x 1/4d
5: 3 x 5/- + 1 x 2/6 + 1 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 0 x 6d + 1 x 3d + 3 x 1d + 0 x 1/2d + 0 x 1/4d
6: 3 x 5/- + 1 x 2/6 + 1 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 0 x 6d + 1 x 3d + 2 x 1d + 2 x 1/2d + 0 x 1/4d
7: 3 x 5/- + 1 x 2/6 + 1 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 0 x 6d + 1 x 3d + 2 x 1d + 1 x 1/2d + 2 x 1/4d
8: 3 x 5/- + 1 x 2/6 + 1 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 0 x 6d + 1 x 3d + 2 x 1d + 0 x 1/2d + 4 x 1/4d
9: 3 x 5/- + 1 x 2/6 + 1 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 0 x 6d + 1 x 3d + 1 x 1d + 2 x 1/2d + 4 x 1/4d
10: 3 x 5/- + 1 x 2/6 + 1 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 0 x 6d + 0 x 3d + 6 x 1d + 0 x 1/2d + 0 x 1/4d
…
575450: 0 x 5/- + 0 x 2/6 + 0 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 0 x 6d + 0 x 3d + 240 x 1d + 0 x 1/2d + 0 x 1/4d
575451: 0 x 5/- + 0 x 2/6 + 0 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 0 x 6d + 0 x 3d + 239 x 1d + 2 x 1/2d + 0 x 1/4d
575452: 0 x 5/- + 0 x 2/6 + 0 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 0 x 6d + 0 x 3d + 239 x 1d + 1 x 1/2d + 2 x 1/4d
575453: 0 x 5/- + 0 x 2/6 + 0 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 0 x 6d + 0 x 3d + 239 x 1d + 0 x 1/2d + 4 x 1/4d
575454: 0 x 5/- + 0 x 2/6 + 0 x 2/- + 0 x 1/- + 0 x 6d + 0 x 3d + 238 x 1d + 2 x 1/2d + 4 x 1/4d