The "coin change" problem is a common algorithmic challenge in computer science and mathematics. It involves determining the number of ways to make a specific amount of money using a given set of coin denominations. For example, if you have coins of 1 cent, 5 cents, and 10 cents, you might want to find out how many combinations can make 25 cents. This problem can be solved using various methods, including dynamic programming and recursion. The goal is to efficiently calculate the total combinations without having to list every possibility. It is often used in teaching algorithms and can be applied in real-world scenarios like making change in a cash register.