OpenEuphoria

another tricky math puzzle!

• Posted by John McAdam <johnmcadam at clix.pt> Oct 16, 2001
• 432 views

The multi tier problem reminds me of the 5-men-and-a-monkey problem.

5 men and a monkey harvested coconuts on an island then went to sleep.
The first man woke up and divided the coconuts into 5 piles except that there
was one extra coconut left over which he gave to the monkey. He then hid
his share of the coconuts and recombined the other 4 piles. Later the second
man woke up and divided the coconuts into 5 piles except that there
was one extra coconut left over which he gave to the monkey. He then hid
his share of the coconuts and recombined the other 4 piles. Later the third
man woke up and divided the coconuts into 5 piles except that there
was one extra coconut left over which he gave to the monkey. He then hid
his share of the coconuts and recombined the other 4 piles. Later the fourth
man woke up and divided the coconuts into 5 piles except that there
was one extra coconut left over which he gave to the monkey. He then hid
his share of the coconuts and recombined the other 4 piles. Later the fifth
man woke up and divided the coconuts into 5 piles except that there
was one extra coconut left over which he gave to the monkey. He then hid
his share of the coconuts and recombined the other 4 piles.
In the morning they all woke up and divided the coconuts into 5 equal parts.
The monkey therefore ended up with 5 coconuts. How many did each of
the 5 men get?

There are an infinite number of correct answers. Try and find one of them.
JOHN