perplexus.info :: Weights and Scales : Gasoline Problem

Gasoline Problem (Posted on 2003-04-11)

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.)

Submitted by chris

Rating: 3.0833 (12 votes)

Solution: (Hide)

Submitted answer:
The man uses the meter on the gas pump to measure out exactly 13 gallons. He puts 11 in the large container and two gallons in one of the others.
Alternatively:
There are a couple of tricks the man can use to do the task without relying on the pump meter.
Jon offers them here and here.

Comments: ( You must be logged in to post comments.)

Subject	Author	Date
Puzzle Thoughts	K Sengupta	2023-02-08 00:25:26
An easier and a harder solution. (Joke)	Joshua	2011-09-02 20:10:36
Solution (without a return trip)	Joshua	2011-09-02 20:01:57
Tilt method	Larry	2006-10-29 01:14:01
Solution?	George	2006-10-12 16:08:14
re(2): 12, 14 but no 13	Vernon Lewis	2005-12-22 07:52:53
re: REAL SOLUTION	saprom	2005-12-21 20:56:22
re: 12, 14 but no 13	saprom	2005-12-21 20:54:48
re: maybe this? input please. (hints)	saprom	2005-12-21 20:50:24
The Solution	saprom	2005-12-21 20:39:29
re: maybe this? input please.	Tristan	2005-05-12 00:01:23
maybe this? input please.	Amon	2005-05-11 22:22:21
re: No Subject	Amon	2005-05-11 22:06:01
re: REAL SOLUTION	Amon	2005-05-11 22:04:50
REAL SOLUTION	Steven Lu	2004-12-09 05:51:42
No Subject	Robert Hunter	2004-09-29 12:29:17
re: trying again	Billy Bob	2004-04-05 22:19:02
open ur eyes	Billy Bob	2004-03-28 10:59:18
Solution	Lewis	2003-06-19 09:44:19
re: another solution	Berry	2003-05-10 05:55:51
ehh	DJ	2003-04-20 14:45:07
some thoughts	bik88	2003-04-18 09:17:11
re(2): Bad joke solution	Cory Taylor	2003-04-16 19:28:44
re: Bad joke solution	levik	2003-04-16 07:36:51
re: 13 the lucky number	Cory Taylor	2003-04-16 04:33:39
13 the lucky number	Rajeev	2003-04-14 21:05:49
12, 14 but no 13	Brian Smith	2003-04-14 04:27:28
you guys are brlliant	Cory Taylor	2003-04-11 21:47:41
solution	Marie	2003-04-11 19:03:16
another solution	Jon	2003-04-11 12:45:11
Use the liquid?	Gamer	2003-04-11 12:08:53
Alternate solution	Bryan	2003-04-11 11:55:16
re: Bad joke solution	Bryan	2003-04-11 11:35:21
Bad joke solution	Ender	2003-04-11 11:13:17
trying again	Jon	2003-04-11 10:53:45
re: don't spill	Jon	2003-04-11 10:38:42
don't spill	Jon	2003-04-11 10:27:04

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