Question

A farmer died and left his 11 horses to his 3 sons, such that the eldest was to receive 1/2 of the horses, middle son to receive 1/4 and the youngest to receive 1/6 of the horses. How can they be divided ?

Answer 1

@QuestionsWolf

Answer 2

Yes?

Answer 3

I don't know how to do this.

Answer 4

Sorry.

Answer 5

im guessing by rounding, since we dont plan on killing horses :)

11/2 = 5.5 --> 6
11/4 = 2.75 --> 3
11/6 = 1.83 --> 2

Answer 6

hehe

Answer 7

1/2 + 1/4 + 1/6 gives 11/12, not 1
so the fractions will give a rational and thus it has to be rounded off

Answer 8

add up the fractional amounts to get:\[\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{6}=\frac{6+3+2}{12}=\frac{11}{12}\]so if I lend one horse of my own to make 12 horses altogether, then each one can take 6, 3 and 2 horses respectively, leaving me to take the horse I lent them back. :)

Answer 9

this is from a famous problem involving camels

Answer 10

heheh

Answer 11

to divide the horses bring one of your own, the total now becomes 12, give 6 to the eldest son, 3 to the middle and 2 to the youngest ( 6+ 3 + 2 = 11) and then you ride your horse into the sunset :)