A PUZZLING PROBLEM

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 12, 12 November 1908, Page 37

A PUZZLING PROBLEM

A certain merchant of the Eas"t left in his last" will and testament seventeen- horses to be divided among. his three sons.- - The first was to receive one-half, the second one-third, and the youngest' a ninth part of the whole. But wheh^they came to~ arrange about the division, it Avas found that to comply with! the terms of- the will, without sacrificing^one. or more of the animals, was impossible. ' " Puzzled in the extreme, they, repaired to the Cadi, who, having read the will, declared that such a difficult question required time for deliberation, and recommended* them to return in two days. When they again made their_ appearance, the Judge said : ' I have considered your case, and find that I can make such a division of the seventeen horses among you as will give each more than his } strict share and _yet not one -of the animals be" injured. Are -you content? ' — . ~ A ~ 'We are perfectly content, -O Cadi!,' was the reply. 'Bring forth .the seventeen horses and"" let them be placed in the court,' said the Cadi. The . animals were brought in, and the Cadi ordered the groom to place his own horse wifh them. When, this' had been done, he ordered the eldest brother to^ count fhe horses. • - ' Tn .? re are e jg hteen in number, 6 Cadi ! 'he said. ' I will make the division,' responded the Cadi.> . 'You, the.

eldest,- are entitled' to' half ; then take nine horses. You, the second son,- are to; receive" one-third; .take, "therefore, six; while to you,* the -youngest,- '-belongs the ninth part — namely, two. Thus the seventeen horses are divided, among you. You have .each more than your share, and I may now take my own steed back ,'• again. ' ■ ' ~ " ' O Cadi, your wisdom equals "that of'Solieman, Ibn Daoudl' exclaimed the gratified brothers*— rAve Maria, —