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?

(In reply to Exactly 16 gallons by Larry)

I could agree with the first solution, although it is not my intended solution.  Knowing he is the only gas station for miles, the clerk could be a(n) &*%^ and just say to fill it up as much as you can afford or find another gas station.  We could pretty well guess 5/6 of a container too, but the question does say exactly 16 gallons in his car.

As far as the second solution. I would like to know a gas station which would give you extra gas without paying for it, and allow you to give back a gallon. What are they going to do pour it back into the nozzle and hope it flows to the tank? Sorry, no offense meant, but I think this solution is crap.

Posted by jduval on 2007-09-24 21:12:54