I'm sorry if this isn't the correct forum. I wasn't sure where to put it. I have a problem that I need to make a computer algorithm to solve. I thought someone here might be able to give me some ideas.
The basic problem is this:
There are 3 children each with their own box.
-George's box is 20 inches tall.
-Thomas' box is 8 inches tall.
-Abe's box is 7 inches tall.
In the room there is an assortment of blocks. The blocks have different heights. We must find a way for the children to be given various blocks so that the sum of the block heights they each are given is not higher than each children's box.
The blocks in the room and their heights are as follows:
- There is one block that is 2 inches tall.
- There is one block that is 3 inches tall.
- There are 6 blocks that are 5 inches tall.
How do you write an algorithm to perfectly distribute the blocks so each child's box does not overflow?
The answer to this is pretty easy.
- George: 4 of the 5 inch blocks. Total is 20 inches.
- Thomas: 1 of the 5 inch blocks and the 3 inch block. Total is 8 inches.
- Abe: 1 of the 5 inch blocks and the 2 inch block. Total is 7 inches.
But if I had written a computer program to distribute the blocks in the order in which I listed them, it would not have worked. George would get both the 2 inch and 3 inch block, then 3 of the 5 inch blocks. There would be 3 of the 5 inch blocks left over and both Thomas and Abe can only accept one of them. Leaving one left over that no one can accept.
The only way I can think is to write a program that loops through every combination until something works. Is there a way that takes less computer resources?
Furthermore, after I solve this, I am going to need to make that program works with any assortment of blocks, sizes, and children. So I am really looking for an approach to solving this and not simply a way to solve this one example.
Thanks in advance!
The basic problem is this:
There are 3 children each with their own box.
-George's box is 20 inches tall.
-Thomas' box is 8 inches tall.
-Abe's box is 7 inches tall.
In the room there is an assortment of blocks. The blocks have different heights. We must find a way for the children to be given various blocks so that the sum of the block heights they each are given is not higher than each children's box.
The blocks in the room and their heights are as follows:
- There is one block that is 2 inches tall.
- There is one block that is 3 inches tall.
- There are 6 blocks that are 5 inches tall.
How do you write an algorithm to perfectly distribute the blocks so each child's box does not overflow?
The answer to this is pretty easy.
- George: 4 of the 5 inch blocks. Total is 20 inches.
- Thomas: 1 of the 5 inch blocks and the 3 inch block. Total is 8 inches.
- Abe: 1 of the 5 inch blocks and the 2 inch block. Total is 7 inches.
But if I had written a computer program to distribute the blocks in the order in which I listed them, it would not have worked. George would get both the 2 inch and 3 inch block, then 3 of the 5 inch blocks. There would be 3 of the 5 inch blocks left over and both Thomas and Abe can only accept one of them. Leaving one left over that no one can accept.
The only way I can think is to write a program that loops through every combination until something works. Is there a way that takes less computer resources?
Furthermore, after I solve this, I am going to need to make that program works with any assortment of blocks, sizes, and children. So I am really looking for an approach to solving this and not simply a way to solve this one example.
Thanks in advance!