OK try this one on for size

[HumblePie]

Originally posted by: Ilmater

Originally posted by: Tommunist

Originally posted by: Tiamat
tilt the can so that the midway point and the lifted bottom corner form a line that is parallel to the table then fill. When the lip of the fluid fills to the half way point on the can (humans can view halves very easily) you have 1/4 can.

i think there is too much estimating there for it to count. if estimating halves is so easy the cutting the can in half 2 times would work just as well...

There's no estimating.

In a hypothetical world.. no, there is no estimating. In the real world? It's still estimating. Why? When you tilt the can you cause an axial force on the water to cause it to rush to the openside faster and thus pour out. Now, you can move the can VERY slowly, and use a substance other then water that moves very slowly, like a colloid, but it will still be an estimate when the OP said exact. then again, no measurement in the real world is exact hence why this is true.

 

[mdchesne]

I belive it was origionally "half full of water" as the puzzle. but anyways.

tilt the can, fill so that the water touches the top part of the bottom of the can, and the bottom part of the top.

_____
|
|\\\
|\\\\\\\\_

this is where the can is half full. equal parts on either sid eof the diagonal. this is where the origional puzzle ends, but you asked for a 1/4... so repeat. thusly:

| . . . .|
| . . . .|
|\\\\\\\\| <--mark!
|\\\\\\\\|

angle the can back to 90 degrees upright. now the two halves are cylindrical cubes, no longer angles as the above diagram states. mark where the water reaches up the can.
_____
|.
|\.
|\\\\___

pour out water and angle cup same way as before. this time, fill can at angle so that the water only reaches the mark, not the top of the can.

| . . . .|
| . . . .|
| . . . .|
|\\\\\\\\|

angle back 90 degrees. you got it.





FTW!

BTW: whoever said count the rings on the inside... weeaaakkkk! he said "like a can of beans" assuming the sides are smooth makes for much better thinking.

 

[Phlargo]

If I'm trying to cool a nuclear reactor, I'll just go buy a measuring cup.

FTW!!!

 

[mdchesne]

come on! someone proclaim me right! LOL! I've been editing my answer like 18 times now to get the diagrams right and the description perfect! CREDIT ME! :angry;

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: GamerExpress
Fill the can to over half full, and tip it so that the water runs out until it reaches just from the lip of the can to the edge of the base, as in the first figure.
Now the can is one half full. Tilt the can upright and mark it inside to show how far the water comes. Finally, tip out the water a bit at a time, until when tilted, the water goes from the mark you scratched to the edge of the bottom, as in the third figure.

There you go.

That is just stupid.

 

[mdchesne]

GODDAMIT! THE ANSWER WAS ALREADY POSTED! SOAB!

i just wasted 10 minutes diagraming it to you idiots who couldn't get it. AHHHHHH *smaks head on desk*

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: mdchesne
GODDAMIT! THE ANSWER WAS ALREADY POSTED! SOAB!

i just wasted 10 minutes diagraming it to you idiots who couldn't get it. AHHHHHH *smaks head on desk*

I get it, but you are still estimating the angle and the 1/2 mark. Neither are precise, though it's obviously the answer.

 

[GamerExpress]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: GamerExpress
Fill the can to over half full, and tip it so that the water runs out until it reaches just from the lip of the can to the edge of the base, as in the first figure.
Now the can is one half full. Tilt the can upright and mark it inside to show how far the water comes. Finally, tip out the water a bit at a time, until when tilted, the water goes from the mark you scratched to the edge of the bottom, as in the third figure.

There you go.

That is just stupid.

Please grace me with some reason to why this is stupid, my guess is you are stupid and couldn't get close to answer. Don't get mad and call it stupid because you were not able to come up with an answer.

 

[Boxxcar]

First you count all the beans and divide by four. Place 1/4 of the beans back into can. mark the side of the can and fill with water.