Do you see any connection between each number and the corresponding smallest number of button clicks?
Observation: Yes, there is a clear connection. The smallest number of button clicks equals the sum of all the digits of the number.
Example 1: 8300 Sum of digits = 8 + 3 + 0 + 0 = 11 ∴ Minimum button clicks = 11
Example 2: 40629 Sum of digits = 4 + 0 + 6 + 2 + 9 = 21 ∴ Minimum button clicks = 21
Explanation
The chapter explains that when we use the place value expression for minimum clicks, each digit tells us how many times to press that button. So the total clicks equals the sum of all digits.
Solution Steps
Identify the connection: The smallest number of button clicks equals the sum of all the digits of the number.
Verify with example 8300: Sum of digits = 8 + 3 + 0 + 0 = 11.
Verify with example 40629: Sum of digits = 4 + 0 + 6 + 2 + 9 = 21.