Four people are in a bar.

Ben owes Glen a drink. Glen owes Rhen two drinks. Rhen owes Sven three drinks. Sven owes Ben four drinks.

To settle up, what is the minimum number of drinks that need to be bought by who for whom?

The answer is one beer. This is based on the fact that no-one wants to drink but they wish to settle up.
Rhen buy a beer and gives it to Sven. Sven gives it to Ben. Ben gives it to Glen and Glen gives it to Sven. Sven then gives it to Ben. At this stage. Ben owes nothing. Glen owes one to Rhen and Rhen owes one to Sven. Sven still owes two to Ben. Ben then gives the beer to Glen who says no mate we are already square but gives it to Rhen who in turn gives it to sven who gives it to Ben. They are all now settled up except for Sven who still owes Ben a beer. Ben insists that its Glens and gives it to him. Glen insists that it's Rhens and gives it to him. Rhen insists that it's Svens who gives it to Bem because he still owes him one. They are now all settled up. Ben then drinks the beer because fed up with the whole process.
It's drawing a long bow but it works.

Posted by terry on 2002-12-19 18:27:21