While exploring a cave, Carl comes across a collection of $5$-pound rocks worth $$14$ each, $4$-pound rocks worth $$11$ each, and $1$-pound rocks worth $$2$ each. There are at least $20$ of each size. He can carry at most $18$ pounds. What is the maximum value, in dollars, of the rocks he can carry out of the cave?
$\textbf{(A) } 48 \qquad \textbf{(B) } 49 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 50 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 51 \qquad \textbf{(E) } 52$
The value of $5$-pound rocks is $$14\div5=$2.80$ per pound, and the value of $4$-pound rocks is $$11\div4=$2.75$ per pound. Clearly, Carl should not carry more than three $1$-pound rocks. Otherwise, he can replace some $1$-pound rocks with some heavier rocks, preserving the weight but increasing the total value. 
We perform casework on the number of $1$-pound rocks Carl can carry:
\[\begin{array}{c|c|c||c} & & & \\ [-2.5ex] \boldsymbol{1}\textbf{-Pound Rocks} & \boldsymbol{4}\textbf{-Pound Rocks} & \boldsymbol{5}\textbf{-Pound Rocks} & \textbf{Total Value} \\ \textbf{(}\boldsymbol{$2}\textbf{ Each)} & \textbf{(}\boldsymbol{$11}\textbf{ Each)} & \textbf{(}\boldsymbol{$14}\textbf{ Each)} & \\ [0.5ex] \hline & & & \\ [-2ex] 0 & 2 & 2 & $50 \\  & & & \\ [-2.25ex] 1 & 3 & 1 & $49 \\ & & & \\ [-2.25ex] 2 & 4 & 0 & $48 \\ & & & \\ [-2.25ex] 3 & 0 & 3 & $48 \end{array}\]
Clearly, the maximum value of the rocks Carl can carry is $\boxed{\textbf{(C) } 50}$ dollars.
Remark
Note that an upper bound of the total value is $$2.80\cdot18=$50.40,$ from which we can eliminate choices $\textbf{(D)}$ and $\textbf{(E)}.$
~Pyhm2017 (Fundamental Logic)
~MRENTHUSIASM (Reconstruction)