Math problem

[sketch]

Hi

Need help from all you math wiz's out there! I have a bit of a problem that I need to know the best way to approach:

I start off with a small group of lengths (a) (e.g. 1.5m, 2m, 3.5m)
I then receive a larger group of other lengths (b) (e.g. 0.57m, 0.58m, 0.58m, 0.59m, 0.59m, etc)

I need to know a way to approach - how do I "cut" the smaller lengths (b) OUT OF the larger lengths (a) (I can have any number of the larger lengths I need) in order to find the SMALLEST POSSIBLE WASTAGE.

and then produce a table of which b lengths should be cut out of which a lengths.

I hope you see what I mean! I just need some people to get me started or give me ideas and so on?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks:bigyello: