In this classic riddle, an old man’s will instructs his three sons to divide his 17 cows so that the oldest son gets 1/2 of them, the middle son gets 1/3, and the youngest son gets 1/9. At first glance, you might notice something odd: 17 isn’t divisible by these fractions without leaving fractions of a cow—clearly not practical or humane. How can the sons fulfill their father’s wish without splitting a single cow? Give the puzzle a try and see if you can figure out the solution!
How Should the Brothers Divide the Cows to Fulfill the Terms of the Will?
This brainteaser asks you to distribute 17 cows among three siblings in the proportions of 1/2, 1/3, and 1/9 respectively. The challenge is that 17 doesn’t divide evenly by any of these fractions. Question: Is there a way to solve it without resorting to fractional cows? Try to think outside the box, and feel free to share your ideas in the comments before reading on.
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Common Mistakes and Why Details Matter
When tackling riddles like this, a few pitfalls often catch people off guard:
Forgetting Basic Arithmetic Constraints:
It’s easy to jump into dividing 17 directly by each fraction, only to discover that the math doesn’t work out cleanly.
Ignoring Creative Problem-Solving Approaches:
Some puzzle-solvers think strictly in terms of the numbers provided, missing the fact that the riddle might require an extra element (like borrowing a cow).
Assuming the Fractions Must Equal Exactly 1:
Adding 1/2 + 1/3 + 1/9 yields 17/18, not 1. Some might think the puzzle is unsolvable, but the trick is in how you handle that missing fraction.
By recognizing that this scenario can be adjusted creatively (while still adhering to the will), you’ll be on the right track.
Step-by-Step Guide to Solving the Puzzle
If you’re stuck, follow these steps:
Borrow One Cow
- A neighbor (or friend) temporarily lends them one extra cow, bringing the total to 18.
Divide According to the Will
- A neighbor (or friend) temporarily lends them one extra cow, bringing the total to 18.
- The oldest son’s share is 1/2 of 18 = 9 cows.
- The middle son’s share is 1/3 of 18 = 6 cows.
- The youngest son’s share is 1/9 of 18 = 2 cows.
- Summing these allocations: 9 + 6 + 2 = 17 cows.
Return the Borrowed Cow
Because all 17 cows have been distributed exactly as the father requested, the extra (18th) cow can be given back to its owner. Through this clever method, no cow is physically split, and everyone receives the correct fraction as intended by the will.
Conclusion
Did you guess that an extra cow would be borrowed? Or did you assume it was unsolvable at first? Share your approach and whether you found the trick on your own in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this puzzle, don’t stop here—continue exploring more riddles that require creative thinking and out-of-the-box solutions. Each challenge you solve helps you hone your logic skills and discover fresh ways to tackle everyday problems. Happy puzzling!
