Mind Bender # 9 : The Solution
Posted on 27. Aug, 2007 by Chris Lang in Mind Bender Solutions
As you could see from the various responses posted for this Mind Bender ... there is clearly more than one way to share the Wine Barrels between the three brothers.
However, the challenge this time was to come up with the solution that was the most elegant in its simplicity.
To do that, you needed to pour four of the half barrels together, to make two more full ones.
Then, you'll find you have:
- 9 full barrels,
- 3 half barrels, and
- 9 empty barrels.
Each of these combinations can now be divided by three.
I guess it really depends on whether you prefer to end up more full barrels than empty ones.
But that's what I like to see ... someone striving for an even better solution.
No. Sorry, don't agree that this is the simplest and most elegant solution.
Why would one think that having to displace the contents of 2 barrels to achieve the same result as can be achieved by splitting the contents of one, be considered more simple or elegent.
Tip 1/2 the content of 1 full barrel into 1 empty barrel.
You get:-
6 full barrels
9 half barrels
6 empty barrels
All equally divisible by 3 and much simpler.
Don't you think so?