For positive integers $a$, $b$, and $c$ with $a < b < c$, consider collections of postage stamps in denominations $a$, $b$, and $c$ cents that contain at least one stamp of each denomination. If there exists such a collection that contains sub-collections worth every whole number of cents up to $1000$ cents, let $f(a, b, c)$ be the minimum number of stamps in such a collection. Find the sum of the three least values of $c$ such that $f(a, b, c) = 97$ for some choice of $a$ and $b$.
Notice that we must have $a = 1$; otherwise $1$ cent stamp cannot be represented. At least $b-1$ numbers of $1$ cent stamps are needed to represent the values less than $b$. Using at most $c-1$ stamps of value $1$ and $b$, it can have all the values from $1$ to $c-1$ cents. Plus $\lfloor \frac{999}{c} \rfloor$ stamps of value $c$, every value up to $1000$ can be represented. 

Correction:
This should be $\lfloor \frac{1000}{c} \rfloor$. The current function breaks when $c \mid 1000$ and $b \mid c$. Take $c = 200$ and $b = 20$. Then, we have $\lfloor \frac{999}{200} \rfloor = 4$ stamps of value 200, $\lfloor \frac{199}{20} \rfloor = 9$ stamps of value b, and 19 stamps of value 1. The maximum such a collection can give is $200 \cdot 4 + 20 \cdot 9 +19 \cdot 1 = 999$, just shy of the needed 1000. As for the rest of solution, proceed similarly, except use $1000$ instead of $999$.
Also, some explanation: $b-1$ one cent stamps cover all residues module $b$. Having $\lfloor \frac{c-1}{b} \rfloor$ stamps of value b covers all residue classes modulo $c$. Finally, we just need $\lfloor \frac{1000}{c} \rfloor$ to cover everything up to 1000.
In addition, note that this function sometimes may not always minimize the number of stamps required. This is due to the fact that the stamps of value $b$ and of value $1$ have the capacity to cover values greater than or equal to $c$ (which occurs when $c-1$ has a remainder less than $b-1$ when divided by $b$). Thus, in certain cases, not all $\lfloor \frac{1000}{c} \rfloor$ stamps of value c may be necessary, because the stamps of value $b$ and 1 can replace one $c$.
~[CrazyVideoGamez](https://artofproblemsolving.comhttps://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/User:Crazyvideogamez)
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Therefore using $\lfloor \frac{999}{c} \rfloor$ stamps of value $c$, $\lfloor \frac{c-1}{b} \rfloor$ stamps of value $b$, and $b-1$ stamps of value $1$, all values up to $1000$ can be represented in sub-collections, while minimizing the number of stamps.
So, $f(a, b, c) = \lfloor \frac{999}{c} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{c-1}{b} \rfloor + b-1$.
$\lfloor \frac{999}{c} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{c-1}{b} \rfloor + b-1 = 97$. We can get the answer by solving this equation.
$c > \lfloor \frac{c-1}{b} \rfloor + b-1$
$\frac{999}{c} + c > \lfloor \frac{999}{c} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{c-1}{b} \rfloor + b-1 = 97$
$c^2 - 97c + 999 > 0$, $c > 85.3$ or $c  \frac{999}{c}$
$97 > \frac{999}{c}$, $c>10.3$

$\text{Case } 1:$ $10.3 85.3$

$c = 86 \rightarrow$ $\lfloor \frac{999}{86} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{85}{b} \rfloor + b-1 = 97$
$\lfloor \frac{85}{b} \rfloor + b = 87$, $b=87 > c \rightarrow \text{no solution}$

$c = 87 \rightarrow$ $\lfloor \frac{999}{87} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{86}{b} \rfloor + b-1 = 97$
$\lfloor \frac{86}{b} \rfloor + b = 87$, $b=86$ or $1$. $\text{We cannot have }b=1 \text{ since it doesn't satisfy } a<b \text{, and note that if } b=86 \text{ we can have 10 coins of value } c, 1 \text{ of } b, \text{ and } 85$ $\text{of } a \text{ for a total of 96 coins and still be able to make every value from 1 to 1000. Thus } c=87 \text{ yields no solution.}$

$c = 88 \rightarrow$ $\lfloor \frac{999}{88} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{87}{b} \rfloor + b-1 = 97$
$\lfloor \frac{87}{b} \rfloor + b = 87$, $b=86$

$c = 89 \rightarrow$ $\lfloor \frac{999}{89} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{88}{b} \rfloor + b-1 = 97$
$\lfloor \frac{88}{b} \rfloor + b = 87$, $b=86$

The $3$ least values of $c$ are $11$, $88$, $89$. $11 + 88+ 89 = \boxed{\textbf{188}}$
~[isabelchen](https://artofproblemsolving.comhttps://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/User:Isabelchen)
~edited by bobjoebilly