Getting rid of my pennies

This is probably a no-brainer, but...

Whenever I go out to lunch, I always eat at the same place. I order the same thing and it costs the same amount each day. The cost of the lunch includes an amount requiring the use of pennies (i.e. the price doesn't end in 0 or 5). If I have the correct number of pennies, I use them, otherwise, I just get pennies as change.

Now, if I start the week with no pennies and I end the week with no pennies, how many times did I go out to lunch, assuming I went at least once? Mark

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All five days.

If the item costs x.x1 or x.x6, you'll get 4 cents each time. The next four days, you spend 1 cent each time.

If the item costs x.x2 or x.x7, you'll get 3 cents each time. The first day, you get 3 cents. The second day, you spend two and are left with one. The third day you get 3 and have four. The fourth and fifth days, you spend 2 each.

If the item costs x.x3 or x.x8, you'll get 2 cents each time. The first two days you get 2 cents each and have 4. The third day, you spend 3 and have 1. The fourth day you get 2 and have 3. The last day you spend them.

If the item costs x.x4 or x.x9, you'll get 1 cent each time. The first four days you get 1 cent each and have 4. The last day you spend them.

Unless, of course, your statement about how many pennies you have is taken literally. You said 'If I have the correct number of pennies, I use them, otherwise, I just get pennies as change.' That could be interpreted to mean 'if I have too many pennies, I don't use them.' I assumed you meant 'if I have at least that many pennies.' If you're not allowed to spend pennies if you have too many, then you still have to go five days, but it does limit the price to x.x4 or x.x9.

two which Jim Cook replied:

There's actually another answer

Any number of times. You do have the decency to give any odd pennies as tip!?

Heh heh.. wonderful answer! Actually, in my situation the correct answer IS only 5. I go to Chick-fil-a for lunch every weekday. Any multiple of 5 is a possible answer, though. It's a fast food place so you don't tip.