Brain Teasers
Breaking Bread
Three travellers met at a lonely oasis. One had 3 loaves of bread, but no money; another had 5 loaves of bread, but no money; while the third had only money. They sat down to a meal and the kind travellers shared their bread equally among all 3. In the morning, the traveller with the money departed leaving 8 silver coins for the other 2 in payment for the bread. How should they share the coins fairly?
Hint
The one who contributed more should get a larger share.Answer
Since they all shared the 8 loaves they ate 2 2/3 loaves each. Thus one gave 1/3 of a loaf while the other gave 2 1/3 loaves to the man with none. The second one gave 7 times as much and should receive 7 times as much back as the other.The first should get one coin while the other gets 7 coins.
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Comments
What a great problem! I got it right, but then was sure I had to be wrong because it was so skewed. Great teaser!
If the two with bread started with 8 loaves, then why wouldn't they divide the 8 coins in the same fashion the loaves were divided? In other words, the traveler with 5 loaves would get 5 coins, and the one with 3 loaves would get 3 coins.
Assuming the one traveler only got one coin for his one loaf, then the other traveler should get two coins for his two loaves - which obviously didn't happen. The loaves should be "priced" equally as possible and 3 coins per loaf is as close as it gets, no?!!?
Assuming the one traveler only got one coin for his one loaf, then the other traveler should get two coins for his two loaves - which obviously didn't happen. The loaves should be "priced" equally as possible and 3 coins per loaf is as close as it gets, no?!!?
They each ate 2 2/3 loaves, or 8/3 loaf. The money bearer contributed no loaves to be shared. The one carrying 3 loaves gave up only 1/3 of a loaf, while the one who originally had 5 laoves gave up 7/3. The two who donated some bread to the third person each got one coin per 1/3 of a loaf donated.
Easy but clever. Nice job!
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