[Guest]

There was a farmer who had 17 Cows. On his death-bed he called his 3 sons and told them, The eldest son gets 1/2 of the cows, the 2nd son 1/3rd and to the youngest 1/9 th and they cannot cut a cow into smaller pieces. After saying this the farmer died.

Now the sons was in a dilemma and came to me for help. I thought and thought and then sent them to YS at BD

When YS heard their story, she said, "This is a very simple promplem" .... How did YS solve their problem ???

[Guest]

YS will add one cow to the mix to give you 18. The eldest will get 9 cows, the 2nd son will get 6, and the third will get 2 cows. That adds up 17 cows and YS gets the cow back.

There was a farmer who had 17 Cows. On his death-bed he called his 3 sons and told them, The eldest son gets 1/2 of the cows, the 2nd son 1/3rd and to the youngest 1/9 th and they cannot cut a cow into smaller pieces. After saying this the farmer died.

Now the sons was in a dilemma and came to me for help. I thought and thought and then sent them to YS at BD

When YS heard their story, she said, "This is a very simple promplem" .... How did YS solve their problem ???

[Guest]

The phrase "get 1/2 of" (or 1/3, or 1/9) does not preclude that person getting MORE than 1/2, 1/3 or 1/9. You'll also notice that 1/2+1/3+1/9 is not equal to 1 - in fact, it's 9/18+6/18+2/18=17/18.

The solution, then, is to give the oldest son 9 cows (which is slightly more than half), the second oldest 6 cows (which is slightly more than 1/3), and the youngest son 2 cows (which is slightly more than 1/9). This is like the 28 days in a month riddle.

[Guest]

Could one of the cows be pregnant? If so, wait for the calf and then do the math.

[Guest]

Hey BL, its an old one.

First give them one cow to make it 18 cows. Now divide accordingly. There will be one more cow left. Take that back.

[Guest]

Could one of the cows be pregnant? If so, wait for the calf and then do the math.

Ha ha, LMAO.

[Guest]

One of two solutions I have for this problem.....

Sell all cows (or some) and split the money...

even the three sons should every once in a while share a STEAK dinner.....

[Guest]

So YS bring his cow together with the other 17 to make them 18. And said to the eldest son:

You are given 1/2 of the cows. So you got 1/2 x 18 = 9 cows"

then he turned to the second son and said:

"You are given 1/3 of the cows, so you got 1/3 x 18 = 6 cows"

then he turned to the youngest son and said:

"You are given 1/9 of the cows, so you got 1/9 x 18 = 2 cows"

"Total cows you have are 9 + 6 + 2 = 17 cows and I will take back mine.....", he paused for a while and then said

"Now go home and surf Brainden!"

[Guest]

add 1 of my cows to the group, making 18 total.

1/2 of 18 =9

1/3 of 18 =6

1/9 of 18 =2

9+6+2=17 and I get my cow back.