A rich old Arab has three sons. When he died, he willed his 17 camels to
the sons, to be divided as follows:
First Son to get 1/2 of the camels,
Second Son to get 1/3rd of the
camels, Third Son to get 1/9th of
the camels. The sons are sitting there trying to figure out how this can possibly be done, when a very old wise man goes riding by on his camel. They stopped him and asked him to help them solve their problem. Without hesitation he divides the camels properly and
continues riding on his way. How did he do it?
Answers
The answer is the old wise man adds his camel into the 17 then divided them between the sons and he goes on his camel after dividing.
EXPLANATION:
Question : 17 camels should be divided among the three sons without leaving any.
Assumption - 1 : First Son to get 1/2 of the camels.
When the old wise man adds his camel into the 17 camels then there will be total 18 camels. The share of first son is 1/2 of the total camels. 1/2 of 18 is 9. The old wise man gives 9 camels to the elder one.
Assumption - 2 : Second Son to get 1/3rd of the camels.
After the old wise man removing the 9 camles. There remaining are 9 camels. Then the share of second son is 1/3rd of the camels. The 1/3rd of 18 is 6. The old man gives 6 camels to the second son.
Assumption - 3 : Third Son to get 1/9th of
Third Son to get 1/9th ofthe camels.
The camels left after the division of camels to the first two brothers were only three. Then the share of the third brother was 1/9 of the camels. The 1/9 th of camels is 2 camels. The old man gives 2 camels to the third son and continuous riding on his way.
Hence, the teaser is proved !
The old man adds his camel. Then the total becomes 18. Then he divides as :
1/2 of 18 = 9 camels
1/3 of 18 = 6 camels
1/9 of 18 = 2 camels.
The remaining one he takes away. As that is the old man's one.