David,
The way to use the fewest number of bills and coins is to use the largest denominations possible.
Let's do this step by step.
$17.35
-10.00 a $10 bill is the largest bill not larger than the total ($17.35).
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$ 7.35
- 5.00 a $5 bill is the largest bill not larger than the sub-total ($7.35).
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$ 2.35
- 1.00 a $1 bill is the largest bill not larger than the sub-total ($2.35).
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$ 1.35
- 1.00 a $1 bill is the largest bill not larger than the sub-total ($1.35).
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$ 0.35
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$ 0.35
- 0.25 a quarter is the largest coin not larger than the sub-total ($0.35)
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$ 0.10
- 0.10 a dime is the largest coin not larger than the sub-total ($0.10)
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$0.00
So we have the following
Bill or coin
1 $10 bill
1 $5 bill
2 $1 bills
1 quarter
1 dime
6 bills or coins.
