An old man left 23 gold coins for his 3 sons.He desired in his will that the eldest son should have half of the coins,the second son should have one-third of the coins and the youngest son should have one-eighthof the coins.The 3 sons did not know how to divide the coins.A wise man solved their problem ,he brought one gold coin and put it with the 23 coins.He divided the money among the 3 sons and took his coin back.Describe how this can happen?

Dear Student,

Please find below the solution to the asked query:

We have total number of coins = 23 , Now a wise man added 1 coin so now we have total coins = 23 + 1 = 24 ( In which one of the coin is belong to the wise man )

Then, From given conditions coins divided , As :

Eldest son gets total coins =

\frac{1}{2} \times 24

= 12 ,

Second son gets total coins =

\frac{1}{3} \times 24

= 8

And

Youngest son gets total coins =

\frac{1}{8} \times 24

= 3

Total coins distributed = 12 + 8 + 3 = 23 , Now one coin is remain that will be taken back by wise man ,

Hope this information will clear your doubts about topic.

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This can happen as [24/3=8]there were 3 sons and we can't divide 23 coins among 3 persons ;if we divide, then all three will not get equal money {1 son will have 1 coin less }but when the man added a coin then total no. of coins=24.
24 coins can be easily divided among 3 persons with 8 coins each .

Then as you wrote that the wise man took his coin back because in the will it is written that ---

Eldest son ->Half of the coins =11.5=11 1/2
Second son->one third =7.67=7 6/7
Third son->one eighth=2.875=2 7/8

So it is also written that the sons didn't knew to divide.Because of the will, the wise man had to remove the coin .

Pleased to help.Sorry if I was wrong.This can happen as [24/3=8]there were 3 sons and we can't divide 23 coins among 3 persons ;if we divide, then all three will not get equal money {1 son will have 1 coin less }but when the man added a coin then total no. of coins=24.
24 coins can be easily divided among 3 persons with 8 coins each .

Then as you wrote that the wise man took his coin back because in the will it is written that ---

Eldest son ->Half of the coins =11.5=11 1/2
Second son->one third =7.67=7 6/7
Third son->one eighth=2.875=2 7/8

Eldest son ->Half of the coins =11.5=11 1/2
Second son->one third =7.67=7 6/7
Third son->one eighth=2.875=2 7/8

So it is also written that the sons didn't knew to divide.Because of the will, the wise man had to remove the coin .

Pleased to help.Sorry if I was wrong.