A painter wants to measure out 12 gallons of paint. What steps can he use if he has...?

Question

A painter wants to measure out 12 gallons of paint. What steps can he use if he has an 18 gallon can, a 15 gallon can, and a 36 quart container?

Answer 1

36 quarts = 9 gallons

so we have 18 gallons, 15 gallons, and 9 gallons

If we fill the 18 gallons, then pour it into the 15 gallon container, this will leave 3 in the 18, and 15 in the 15.

We now pour from the 15 into the 9 to give us:

3 in the 18
6 in the 15
9 in the 9

Now just empty the 9 back into the 18 and it will have 12 gallons!

:) Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Painter has an 18 gal. can, a 15 gal. can, and a 9 gal. can (4 quarts in a gallon).

Fill up the 15 gallon can, using the 15 gallon can, fill up the 9 gallon can. This leaves 6 gallons left in the 15 gallon can. Pour the six gallons into the 18 gallon can. Again, fill up the 15 gallon can. Using the 15 gallon can, fill up the 9 gallon can again, leaving another 6 gallons in the 15 gallon can. Pour this 6 gallons into the 18 gallon can, and there are now 12 gallons in the 18 gallon can.

Answer 3

36 quarts is 9 gallons, so fill that.

Fill the 18 gallons, then tip it in to the 15 gallons container. What is left in the 18 gallons is now 3 gallons.

Bob's your uncle.