A machine gives out five pennies for each nickel inserted into it. The machine also gives out five nickels for each penny.

Starting out with one penny, is it possible to use the machine in such a manner as to end up with an equal number of nickels and pennies?

As a bonus, is it possible to end up with exactly one dollar?

As we are given some leeway by being given "is it possible to use the machine ... to end up with an equal number of nickles and pennies", the answer is yes, it is possible. One can use the trick (or such similar device) as to tie a string to one of the coins and retrieve it, thereby changing the modulo value in the number of coins one ends up with. Otherwise, with mischief aside, the two answers are no and no (see previous posts for explanations).

Posted by Dej Mar on 2009-10-08 16:08:21