Question

A mule and a donkey were going to market, laden with wheat. The mule said, "if you give me one measure, I should carry twice as much as you, but if I give you 1 measure, we should have equal burdens." what were each of their burdens?

Answer 1

God, I have no idea how to solve this. Maybe if I sat down for a while and worked on it...

Answer 2

ok well i'll go ahead and solve it then? anyone solving it behind scenes so that i'll wait a while or i should go ahead?

Answer 3

i think i have it

Answer 4

me too

Answer 5

lemme know what you got

Answer 6

brb

Answer 7

in fact i know i have it because the answer checks. so i will keep quiet

Answer 8

keep quiet? why lol, just go for it :D at least i know Laura said she won't be able to solve it after looking at it, you might wanna help her out :)

Answer 9

I think it's 7 and 5 !!

Answer 10

yup

Answer 11

i made it like that:
(x+1) = 2(y-1)
and
(x-1) = (y+1)

Answer 12

let donkey's burden = x
let mule's burden = y

when donkey gives mule 1 measure, donkey's new burden = x-1 , and mule's new burden = y+1, but mules new burden (y+1) is twice donkey's new burden 2(x-1)

=> y+1=2(x-1)................... equation 1

when mule gives donkey 1 measure, mule's new burden = y-1 and donkey's new burden = x+1 but when mule gives 1 measure, their new burdens are the same

=> y-1 = x+1..................... equation 2 solve the simultaneous equation :)

Answer 13

yikes. i got 6 and 8

Answer 14

well issue resolved now and we're all happy :D i wish i could write that in latex but it'll take me forever, i'm so slow with latex :(

Answer 15

I got it!

Answer 16

:D