Approach the problem logically.
The first thing to do is to use a formula to convert acreages into kg of seed bags. If An (A subscript n) represents the acreage for client number n, then Sn=10An, where Sn is the weight of seed bags required by client n.
So make a table for each client, showing n and the calculation of Sn according to the formula. The range of kg will be 2.5kg to 50kg corresponding to 0.25 and 5 acres.
The table columns can be extended to show how seed bags can be allocated. Clients requiring 50kg can be accommodated easily with 10 5kg bags. I suggest that you add three columns to the table, one for each bag weight. For example, the clients with a requirement of 50kg will have a 10 in the 5kg column, and zeroes for 1 and 2 kg. Clients with a requirement of, say, 2.5kg, will have 1 in the 2kg column and 0.5 in the 1kg column.
Once the table is constructed, you can overview the results. If there are an even number of clients with 0.5 in the 1kg column, you know that a whole number of 1kg bags can be used up, by splitting the 1k bag between two clients. If the number of clients with 0.5kg in the 1kg is odd, then you will only waste 0.5kg altogether.
You can also build a reference table for all weights between 0.5kg and 50kg as follows.
| Weight=10A (kg) |
0.5 bag |
1kg bag |
2kg bag |
| 0.5 (0.05 acre) |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| 1 (0.1 acre) |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| 1.5 (0.15 acre) |
1 |
1 |
0 |
| 2 (0.2 acre) |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| 2.5 (0.25 acre) |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| 3 (0.3 acre) |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| 3.5 (0.35 acre) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| 4 (0.4 acre) |
0 |
0 |
2 |
| 4.5 (0.45 acre) |
1 |
0 |
2 |
This table shows what weights are required between 0.5kg and 4.5kg.
The graph shows two things; weight in kg and the number of 5kg bags needed to make up the weight for all acreages between 0.25 and 5 acres. The table is used to make up the remaining weight to accompany the number of 5 kg bags.
EXAMPLE 1
A client has an acreage of 3.5 acres. So the number of 5kg bags is 7 and no other bags are needed.
EXAMPLE 2
A client has an acreage of 2.75 acres. So the number of 5kg bags is 5 and, using the table to make up the rest of the acreage=2.75-2.5=0.25 acre=2.5kg, we need a 2kg bag and 0.5kg of seed.
EXAMPLE 3
A client has an acreage of 4.3 acres. That's 8 5kg bags and 0.3 acres=3kg=a 1kg bag plus a 2kg bag.
