A man's car runs out of gasoline. His car tank holds exactly 13 gallons. He has three empty unmarked containers which can hold 3 gallons, 6 gallons, and 11 gallons. Using only these containers at the gas station, how can the man bring back exactly 13 gallons?

(He is not allowed to buy over 13 gallons and dispose of the extra.)

take the 11 and dump it into the three until the three is full giving you 8 gallons. dump the 11 into the 6 giving you 6 in the 6, 3 in the 3 and two in the 11. dump the three gallon bucket, then place the 2 from the 11 in it. refill the 11 and dump out the 6. 11 + 2(in the three bucket)= 13

Posted by Jon on 2003-04-11 10:27:04