An old farmer died and left 17 cows to his three sons. In his will, the farmer stated that his oldest son should get 1 / 2 , his middle son should get 1 / 3 , and his youngest son should get 1 / 9 of all the cows. The sons, who did not want to end up with half cows, sat for days trying to figure out how many cows each of them should get.
One day, their neighbour came by to see how they were doing after their father's death. The three sons told him their problem. After thinking for a while, the neighbour said: "I'll be right back!" He went away, and when he came back, the three sons could divide the cows according to their father's will, and in such a way that each of them got a whole number of cows.
The Question : What was the neighbor's solution ?
2006-10-13 08:18:05 · 10 answers · asked by hfbdog 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Jokes & Riddles
The neighbor brough them an extra cow, That way the oldest son would have 9(18/2), the middle son would get 6(18/3), and the youngest son would get 2(18/9). For a total of 17 cows. Then the neighbor could take his cow back.
2006-10-13 08:24:29 · answer #1 · answered by Jake 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The neighbour goes and fetches one cow from his place and add to the lot to make it 18, then as per the share declared by the old farmer Oldest son gets 1/2 share i.e 9 Cows, next one gets 1/3 of the Cows i.e 6 Cows and the third one gets 1/9th of the Cows i.e 2 Cows Thus total Cows got by brothers is 9+6+2 = 17 and the remaining cow being his the neighbour takes backs it with him.Thus deviding 17 Cows amongst the brothers !
2006-10-13 15:31:08 · answer #2 · answered by Tickler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the above answers : u don hav to bring an extra cow
(i rounded some of the figures to 1 dec. place)
cuz, 1/2 of 17 is 8.5, to get a whole,the eldest must hav 9 cows.
1/3 of 17 is 5.7 and so the 2nd son must get 6 cows
which leaves the youngest with 2 cows (1/9 of 17 is 1.9)
9+6+2 = 17...without an extra cow
2006-10-13 15:40:26 · answer #3 · answered by laksa_soup 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He gave them another cow to make 18. that number is easily divisable by 2, 3, and 9.
2006-10-13 15:23:26 · answer #4 · answered by Larren B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He brought over one of his cows so
oldest got 9
middle got 6
youngest got 2 then
the neighbor took his cow home
2006-10-13 15:23:29 · answer #5 · answered by voiceofreason 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lend a cow to them, so it become 18cows
oldest get 9
midd get 6
young get 2
which add up to 17. So they return the lended cow
2006-10-13 15:22:00 · answer #6 · answered by iamigloo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some of the cows where pregnant
2006-10-13 15:20:50 · answer #7 · answered by Kate G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he bought a cow back with him
2006-10-13 15:22:16 · answer #8 · answered by ♥fluffykins_69♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A barbecue?
Sorry, it's late, I'm tired...g'night all.
2006-10-13 15:21:16 · answer #9 · answered by anna 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
some were pregent and others were eaten.
2006-10-16 05:34:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋