Interesting Question

I find this question intriguing and I want to know the best way of solving it. I tried solving it for a while but got the answer after using a tedious method. Please tell me how to solve this question faster.

#HelpMe! #Advice #MathProblem #Math

Easy Math Editor

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Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `$` ... `$` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$

Comments

work backwards, and assume the smallest possible value for the diminished nut pile. :) that should get you started.

Francis Gerard Magtibay - 8 years, 3 months ago

I got the answer, as you can see in the edited discussion. But I wanted to know the fastest way of solving it, since the method i used required the use of a calculator since large numbers were involved...

Rohan Rao - 8 years, 3 months ago

The only thing I could come up with is- Let a be the number of coconuts at first, then $a = 5b + 1$ $4b= 5c+1$ $4c=5d+1$ and so on.. but that won't help.. will it?

Soham Chanda - 8 years, 3 months ago

That's all very well, but when you solve the set of 6 or 7 simultaneous linear equations, it leaves you exhausted with the strain of multiplying large numbers and is also quite confusing. It is easy to make a mistake. You will get the answer after, say, 45 minutes. That's all.

Rohan Rao - 8 years, 3 months ago

exactly... actually the board exams(West bengal board) will start tomorrow so i can;t actually ponder over a sum for long..

Soham Chanda - 8 years, 3 months ago

Please could you send to me the whole document ( I want other questions like this one ) ?

If yes, this is my email : imenetalk@hotmail.fr

Imène Mellal - 8 years, 3 months ago

This question is a classic puzzler, it is also found online...try http://orion.math.iastate.edu/burkardt/puzzles/coconut_puzzle.html

Rohan Rao - 8 years, 3 months ago

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `\(` ... `\)` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$