The problem: If you had an infinite supply of water and a 5 quart and 3 quart pail, how would you measure exactly 4 quarts?
- Fill the 5L container
- Empty the 5L container into the 3L container.
- Empty the 3L container and then re-fill it with the 2L left in the 5L container.
- Refile the 5L container.
- Pour the five liter container int the 3L container which already contains 2L.
Now the 5L container contains (5 – (3-2))L or the desired 4L
One reply on “Two water pail problems – Given a 5L and 3L containers measure 4L of fluid.”
Answer: Fill the 5L pitcher with the 3 Liter pitcher. That leaves 1 liter in the 3 liter pitcher after the second pour. Then empty the 5L pitcher and fill it with the 1L of water in the 3L pitcher. Then refill the 3L pitcher and empty it into into the 5L pitcher. The 5L pitcher now contains (1L + 3L).