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?

Ben owes one drink and is owed four.
Glen owes two drinks and is owed one.
Rhen owes three drinks and is owed two.
Sven owes four drinks and is owed three.

Therefore, everybody owes one more drink than they are owed, except Ben who is owed three, so Glen, Rhen and Sven each buy one drink which they give to Ben.

Posted by Lewis on 2003-06-17 11:23:23