You have one block of gold, weighing 7 pounds. You also have a worker, who is going to work for you for 7 days. You need to pay him 1 pound of gold a day. You can only make 2 cuts into the block of gold. How would you make the cuts so that you can pay 1 pound of gold for each day worked?
Answer:
ReplyDeleteSplit the gold into a segments that are 1 pound, 2 pounds, and 4 pounds.
Day 1: Give the one pound
Day 2: Take back the one pound and give the 2 pound
Day 3: Give the 1 pound and the 2 pound
Day 4: Take back the 1 and 2 pound and give the 4 pound
Day 5: Give the 4 pound and 1 pound
Day 6: Take back the 1 pound and give the 4 pound and 2 pound
Day 7: Give all the gold
The question needs to be re-phrased to something like, "How would you make the cuts so that you can pay 1 pound of gold for each day worked." As written, it says that you have to actually provide one pound each day, which is impossible and not the intent of the puzzle. It may seem like a subtle difference but the phrasing should be perfect in a riddle.
ReplyDeleteOk good call. I'll change the wording now
ReplyDelete