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Coin Change for Vending Machine
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Coin Change for Vending Machine

MediumPython

Problem

A PayPal Zettle checkout terminal must return change using a supplied set of coin denominations. Given unlimited coins of each denomination and a target amount, return the minimum number of coins required to make exactly that amount. Return -1 if the amount cannot be formed.

Formal Specification

Implement coin_change(coins, amount), where coins is a list of positive integers representing available denominations and amount is a non-negative integer. Return an integer containing the fewest coins needed, or -1 when no combination produces the target amount. Each denomination may be used any number of times, and coin order does not matter.

Constraints

  • 1 <= len(coins) <= 12
  • 1 <= coins[i] <= 10^4
  • 0 <= amount <= 10^4
  • Duplicate denominations may appear
  • Each denomination can be used unlimited times

Function Signature

def coin_change(coins, amount):
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