What is the smallest number of distinct marbles required to complete one round?
Explanation:
Each person adds / removes whole number of coins.
For total coins used to be minimum, each person should not add / remove any coins i.e., 0 coins.
This is possible when P puts number of coins which is a perfect square. Least 2-digit perfect square = 16.
Subsequently, if Q, R, S, T, U, V and W do not remove / add coins then also the conditions of the game are met.
Hence, the least number of coins required to complete one round is 16.
Hence, 16.
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