SOLUTION: hey, I have a combinatorics word problem. I would highly appreciate it if you could help me out with it. Thanks! A pharmacist uses 5 separate weights: 1g, 2g, 4g, 8g and 16g. If

Algebra ->  Test -> SOLUTION: hey, I have a combinatorics word problem. I would highly appreciate it if you could help me out with it. Thanks! A pharmacist uses 5 separate weights: 1g, 2g, 4g, 8g and 16g. If       Log On


   

Question 154623: hey, I have a combinatorics word problem. I would highly appreciate it if you could help me out with it. Thanks!
A pharmacist uses 5 separate weights: 1g, 2g, 4g, 8g and 16g. If the pharmacist can combine these weights to create new weights, how many different weights are possible?
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
these numbers are the values of the binary digits __ 2^0, 2^1, 2^2, 2^3, 2^4

this means you can get any whole number value from 1 to 31 __ so, 31 weights