Brain Game: Change Will Do You Good

Today's Brain Game deals with plain U.S. currency and coin; nothing fancy, and there are no tricks involved. It's just old-fashioned mathematics (as well as the knowledge of whose face appears on which coin and which denomination of currency). Good luck!

Matt has six George Washington money items in his pocket; some combination of at least one coin, and at least one bill. Jon has six Abraham Lincoln money items in his pocket; again, a combination of at least one coin, and at least one bill. Using only this information, is it possible to determine for certain which man has the most money in his pocket?

Here is the SOLUTION.

THE SOLUTION:

NO; IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL.

Matt's pocket could have anywhere from $2.25 (one $1 bill and 5 quarters) to $5.25 (five $1 bills and one quarter) in it. [With the George Washington dollar coins in the new presidential series, the total could be as high as $6.00.]

Jon's pocket could contain anywhere from $5.05 (one $5 bill and 5 pennies) to $25.01 (five $5 bills and one penny).