Three cooks have each paid one third to purchase a bag of herbs. In the past, two of the cooks have divided their purchases in the following manner: First one cook would divide the herb, by eye, into two piles she considered to be equal. The second cook would then choose the pile she thought was bigger.

By what process may the three cooks divide their herbs in such a way that each was content that she had recieved at least one third of the total? (No scales or other devices are available to assist the division)

(In reply to A Solution by owl)

Both Steve Herman and Owl provide solutions which appear to be entirely fair (Vernon too was sooo close but Steve supplied the exact solution I was thinking of). I am wondering now if these two solutions are equivalent or if one is fairer than the other?

I'm guessing someone can model the results of the two processes to see which (if any) provides the fairest outcome?

Posted by Percy on 2006-01-27 16:10:20