Forget Hygenically challenged Uncle Jimbo and his pseudo-math, this can be solved by simple algebraic substitution.
The eldest son will be person A, and he gets a 1/2 share of the horses. A = (1/2)
The middle son will be person B, and he gets a 1/3 share of the horses. B = (1/3)
The youngest son will be person C, and he gets a 1/9 share of the horses. C = (1/9)
A = (3/2)B = (9/2)C
B = (2/3)A = 3C
C = (2/9)A = (1/3)B
A + B + C = 17
All of these are true according to the problem.
A + B + C = 17 → The horses are 17, so the sum the all the sons shares must be 17.
A + (2/3)A + (2/9)A = 17 → First subtitute B & C for terms of A so that the equation has one variable.
(17/9)A = 17 → Simplify.
(9/17)*(17/9)A = 17*(9/17) → Multiply both sides by (9/17) (the inverse of (17/9)) to solve for A.
A = 9 → Solution.
After doing this for B and C also you find that A=9, B=6 and C=2.
The eldest son will be person A, and he gets a 1/2 share of the horses. A = (1/2)
The middle son will be person B, and he gets a 1/3 share of the horses. B = (1/3)
The youngest son will be person C, and he gets a 1/9 share of the horses. C = (1/9)
A = (3/2)B = (9/2)C
B = (2/3)A = 3C
C = (2/9)A = (1/3)B
A + B + C = 17
All of these are true according to the problem.
A + B + C = 17 → The horses are 17, so the sum the all the sons shares must be 17.
A + (2/3)A + (2/9)A = 17 → First subtitute B & C for terms of A so that the equation has one variable.
(17/9)A = 17 → Simplify.
(9/17)*(17/9)A = 17*(9/17) → Multiply both sides by (9/17) (the inverse of (17/9)) to solve for A.
A = 9 → Solution.
After doing this for B and C also you find that A=9, B=6 and C=2.
Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
"Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys" - P.J. O'Rourke
"Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't." - Margaret Thatcher
"Nothing succeeds like the appearance of success." - Christopher Lasch
"Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys" - P.J. O'Rourke
"Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't." - Margaret Thatcher
"Nothing succeeds like the appearance of success." - Christopher Lasch
