The Mathematical Milkman of Puzzleland
The Puzzle:
The school children were returning to their homes when they met the mathematical milkman, who propounds the following problem:
In one of the two cans there is milk which is so rich with cream that it becomes absolutely necessary to dilute it with a little water to make it wholesome.
Therefore, in the other can there is some pure spring water, now I proceed to pour spring water from can No. 1 into can No. 2 sufficient to double its contents, and then repour from No. 2 into No.1 enough of the mixture to double the contents.
Then to equalize matters, I again pour from No. 1 into No. 2 to double the contents of No. 2 and find the same number of gallons of milk in each can, although there is one more gallon of water in can No. 2 than there is milk, so I want you to tell me how much more water than milk is there in can No. 1?
In one of the two cans there is milk which is so rich with cream that it becomes absolutely necessary to dilute it with a little water to make it wholesome.
Therefore, in the other can there is some pure spring water, now I proceed to pour spring water from can No. 1 into can No. 2 sufficient to double its contents, and then repour from No. 2 into No.1 enough of the mixture to double the contents.
Then to equalize matters, I again pour from No. 1 into No. 2 to double the contents of No. 2 and find the same number of gallons of milk in each can, although there is one more gallon of water in can No. 2 than there is milk, so I want you to tell me how much more water than milk is there in can No. 1?