Brain Teasers
Potato Riddle
There are 2 bags filled with 25 pounds of potatoes each. The bag on the left is filled with small potatoes, while the bag on the right is filled with large potatoes. Which bag is bigger?
Hint
Think "space".Answer
It is the bag on the left, because, while the potatoes are smaller, both bags still have the same amount of potato mass. There are more potatoes in the left bag, therefor, more spaces between potatoes. Making the bag bigger.Hide Hint Show Hint Hide Answer Show Answer
What Next?
View a Similar Brain Teaser...
If you become a registered user you can vote on this riddle, keep track of which ones you have seen, and even make your own.
Solve a Puzzle
Comments
I disagree - the bag with the larger potatoes would be larger. Yes, the bag with the smaller potatoes would have more potatoes (but same mass) and more "spaces" between them, but each of those "spaces" would be MUCH smaller.
To prove it, fill a container with larger potatoes. Then slice them into smaller pieces. The total volume of the sliced potatoes will be less. Do this again, and the volume will decrease again. Continue until the pieces are very small, then measure the volume. Then mash them up, and the volume will decrease again.
To prove it, fill a container with larger potatoes. Then slice them into smaller pieces. The total volume of the sliced potatoes will be less. Do this again, and the volume will decrease again. Continue until the pieces are very small, then measure the volume. Then mash them up, and the volume will decrease again.
This is a terrific question. I'd have put it under Science instead of Riddle.
I agree with wolfpackw2, that in general, the bag with the large potatoes would be bigger. However, that is not certain. If you have one perfectly spherical 25 pound potato, then that would fit in the smallest possible bag.
I love that fact that this seems like an intuitive question, but there is some serious geometry at work behind the scenes and the answer may not be what you would expect.
I wonder if some potatologist is going to come along with info about how large potatoes tend to be less dense than small potatoes... Hmmm...
I agree with wolfpackw2, that in general, the bag with the large potatoes would be bigger. However, that is not certain. If you have one perfectly spherical 25 pound potato, then that would fit in the smallest possible bag.
I love that fact that this seems like an intuitive question, but there is some serious geometry at work behind the scenes and the answer may not be what you would expect.
I wonder if some potatologist is going to come along with info about how large potatoes tend to be less dense than small potatoes... Hmmm...
Response to "wolfpackw2*us*" This is a flawed experiment. The potatoes are round. By slicing the potatoes you are introducing flat fitting surfaces. The volume decreases because you are taking away the spaces. I assure you the riddle is true. My physical science teacher showed us this in class.
Or at least it was true with the potatoes he used.
To post a comment, please create an account and sign in.
Follow Braingle!