Hmmm...a little mind problem for y'all...can YOU figure it out?

[jaydee]

So is 51:60 even right?

 

[eLiu]

that's quite correct jothaxe

and i do believe this is an old MS interview question

 

[etech]

There are three water jugs, which can hold 8, 5 and 3 gallons of water respectively. The first jug is full, and the other two are empty. It is necessary to divide the water into two equal portions, that is, to put exactly four gallons into both the 8 and 5 gallon jugs. The only operation allowed is to pour some or all of the contents of one jug into another.


Chaotic's answer gave me the clue. The answer had to be fewer then the obvious of putting all 8 on at the same time. The next thing to try was putting three on at a time. That worked.

 

[Kelvrick]

<< 3

1. Balance 4 on one side, 4 on the other.
2. Take the heavier set of 4 and split them into 2 groups of 2. Weigh those
3. Take the heavier of the 2 and split them into 2 groups of 1. The heavier is
the odd man (er ball) out.

Took me 10 seconds and I'm 19 >>



Came up with the same thing. about 10 secs, 17.

 

[Schlocemus]

etech: that one is easy

 

[eLiu]

ok...the water problem:

first, you have:
8 0 0
then:
5 0 3
2 3 3
2 5 1
7 0 1
7 1 0
4 1 3
4 4 0

column 1 is 8 gallon, 2 is 5gal, and three is 3 gallon

there you go