Re: [math-fun] How we "do mathematics"

Why is this problem so fascinating? The two friends are paid $8. The guy who contributed 5 l gets $5, and the guy who contributed 3 l gets $3. Or maybe the $8 goes towards paying for their campsite. I must be missing something.

Here's another solution. I like this one better. The guy who contributed 5 l drinks 8/3 l, so he sold 7/3 l. The guy who contributed 3 l drinks 8/3 l, so he sold 1/3 l. So the money should be distributed $7 and $1. Either way, this problem is suitable for a kindergarten entrance exam.

What I find fascinating about this problem is that smart people who think it's so simple that it's suitable for a kindergarten entrance exam can still get it wrong.