----- Original Message ---- From: David Gale <gale@math.berkeley.edu> To: math-fun <math-fun@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Thursday, August 9, 2007 3:17:48 AM Subject: RE: [math-fun] How we "do mathematics" ...
A (very) old one I like :
Two Death Valley marathonians friends complete their run together and seek shadow in their tent nearby the finish line.
The first one had prepared a fresh 5-liter tank of water in a cooling box and his friend a similar 3-liter one.
They were about to start drinking when a journalist enters the tent desperately asking for water.
OK, the water is divided into three equal parts -- and drunk.
The thankful journalist insists to pay his share and leaves 8 dollars to be split between the two friends.
How?
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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. Gene ____________________________________________________________________________________ Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/