A man runs his car out of gas thereby completely emptying his 16 gallon tank. He only has a 3, a 6, and a 11 gallon container (and fortunately a wagon to carry the containers in) in his trunk. He has nothing else in which he can carry gas. He walks a few miles to a gas station, and as luck would have it the gauge on the pump is broken so he can not use that to measure the fuel. He is in a pretty remote area with only one gas station for miles. Gas costs $3.09⁹, and he only has a $50. Using only the containers provided, and only walking once to and from the gas station, how can he get exactly 16 gallons of gas into his car?

Since this is in tricks, there is another solution.  Most gas stations, even in remote areas, have an attendant.  Knowing that you need exactly 16 gallons of gas and the price is 3.099 per gallon, give the attendant your $50 and tell the attendant to program the pump to stop at 16 gallons.  Fill your 11 gallon container and put the remaining 5 gallons in the 6 gallon container.  Get your change and go back to your car with 16 gallons of gas.

As stated in the problem, the gauge on the pump is broken, but that doesn't necessarily mean it still can't be programmed by the attendant.

Edited on September 22, 2007, 4:29 pm

Posted by Guest on 2007-09-22 16:25:12