Peekay

Assuming that the golden ingots cannot be cut/ sub-divided and that everyone wants to get fair share while maximizing his/her own, the best outcome is 2 people getting 3 ingots while 3 people get 2 each. In this case, it is best for the first elder to suggest an allocation of 2, 3, 3, 2, 2. He will then win the votes of the next 2 elders and the allocation will be ratified.

Not only did I miss something, I missed a lot - combinations of the 2 step options! The actual ways would be much more.

The problem states that "At 12:00pm the pool is half covered by the shade of a tree" and again later states that "It can be assumed that the shade covers half the pool at 12:30". Is the pool HALF covered by the shade at 12:00 or 12:30? Please clarify.

I agree. We have to differentiate between the weight (non-contact force due to gravitational attraction) and the feeling of weightlessness (contact force from normal reaction). So, while the person will have a weight he will feel weightless similar to when you have a free fall in an amusement park ride.