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 neighbour's solution?
2006-11-27 22:05:42 · 10 answers · asked by 【ツ】ρεαcε! 5 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Jokes & Riddles
gosh! so many farmers here
2006-11-27 22:16:07 · update #1
He brought them one of his own cows for free!
The first son could then have 9, the second 6 and the last son gets 2. The other cow then disappears in a puff of logic.
2006-11-27 22:08:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Answer: The neighbour borrowed an extra cow, to make the total number of cows 18. Then the oldest son got 1 / 2 of 18 is 9 cows, the middle son got 1 / 3 of 18 is 6 cows, and the youngest son got 1 / 9 of 18 is 2 cows. Since 9+6+2 = 17, the cows could be divided among the three brothers in such a way that the borrowed cow was left over, and could be returned to its owner.
2006-11-28 00:59:21 · answer #2 · answered by Stefy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He brought 1 of his own cow and said.. ok this is for u if any one finds less... then they started calculated,
oldest gets 1/2 of 18 = 9
middle son gets 1/3 of 18 = 6
youngest gets 1/9 of 18 = 2
total 9 + 6 + 2 = 17
and the clever neighbour went home with his own cow..
2006-11-27 23:01:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Neighbour added his one cow to 17 cows, it became 18. Then he divided it to 1/2 so elder son got 9 cows, second son got 1/3 so 6 cows & third son got 1/9 so 2 cows. Neghbour took back his cow.
2006-11-27 22:14:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He brought a cow back with him which he lent the 'pool' making 18, thus the eldest had 9, the middle son had 6 and the youngest 2, making 17 when he took his cow back home and everybody was happy.
2006-11-27 22:11:31 · answer #5 · answered by billtheangler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think he donates a cow, ergo 18 cows!!!
1/2 = 9
1/3 = 6
1/9 = 3
fingers crossed!!!
2006-11-27 22:10:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
he brought over a bull and got one of the cows pregnant.
2006-11-27 22:31:02 · answer #7 · answered by Stand 4 somthing Please! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he had the cattle slaughtered which made for a very easy division
2006-11-27 22:22:15 · answer #8 · answered by morbidsmindtrip 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he brought over a mincing machine and everyone made burgers
2006-11-27 22:49:07 · answer #9 · answered by markhatter 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ummmm I'm at work right now so my brain is turned off, I will have a think about it when I get home.............
2006-11-27 22:36:53 · answer #10 · answered by xoclairexo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋