In how many different ways three persons A, B, C having 6, 7 and 8 one rupee coins respectively can donate Rs.

10 collectively. Solution: The number of ways in which they can denote Rs.10 is the same as the number of solutions of the equation x1 + x2 + x3 = 10 subject to conditions 0 < x1 < 6, 0 < x2 < 7, 0 < x3 < 8 Hence the required number of ways = coefficient of x10 in (1+x+x2+...+x6)(1+x+x2+...+x7)(1+x+x2+...+x8) = coefficient of x10 in (1-x7)(1-x8)(1-x9)(1-x)-3 = coefficient of x10 in (1-x7-x8-x9)(1+3C1x + 4C2x2+ 5C3x3+...+12C10x10) (ignoring powers higher than 10) =
12

C2 - 5C3 - 4C2 - 3C1

= 66 - 10 - 6 - 3 = 47.