All about flooble | fun stuff | Get a free chatterbox | Free JavaScript | Avatars    
perplexus dot info

Home > Just Math
Eight efficient blacksmiths (Posted on 2015-08-13) Difficulty: 3 of 5
A puzzle by Polish mathematician Paul Vaderlind:

If a blacksmith requires five minutes to put on a horseshoe, show how can 8 blacksmiths shoe 10 horses in less than half an hour?

The catch: A horse can stand on three legs, but not on two.

See The Solution Submitted by Ady TZIDON    
Rating: 4.0000 (1 votes)

Comments: ( Back to comment list | You must be logged in to post comments.)
re(2): solution Comment 4 of 4 |
(In reply to re: solution by Charlie)

Here is an arrangement that minimizes changes.  
Each blacksmith changes only once, and works on only two horses.
4 horses are shoed by 1 smith, and the rest by 2.
xx xx c1 d2 e3 f4 g5 h6 i7 j8
a1 b2 xx xx e3 f4 g5 h6 i7 j8
a1 b2 c3 d4 xx xx g5 h6 i7 j8
a1 b2 c3 d4 e5 f6 xx xx i7 j8
a1 b2 c3 d4 e5 f6 g7 h8 xx xx

  Posted by Steve Herman on 2015-08-13 19:28:52
Please log in:
Login:
Password:
Remember me:
Sign up! | Forgot password


Search:
Search body:
Forums (0)
Newest Problems
Random Problem
FAQ | About This Site
Site Statistics
New Comments (14)
Unsolved Problems
Top Rated Problems
This month's top
Most Commented On

Chatterbox:
Copyright © 2002 - 2024 by Animus Pactum Consulting. All rights reserved. Privacy Information