Henry Ernest Dudeney/Puzzles and Curious Problems/137 - Buying Dog Biscuits

Puzzles and Curious Problems by Henry Ernest Dudeney: $137$

Buying Dog Biscuits

A salesman packs his dog biscuits (all of one quality) in boxes containing $16$, $17$, $23$, $24$, $39$ and $40 \ \mathrm{lbs.}$ (that is, pounds weight),

and he will not sell them in any other way, or break into a box.

A customer asked to be supplied with $100 \ \mathrm{lbs.}$ of the biscuits.

Could you have carried out the order?

If not, now near could you have got to making up the $100 \ \mathrm{lbs.}$ supply?

Of course, he has an ample supply of boxes of each size.

Sources

• 1932: Henry Ernest Dudeney: Puzzles and Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems: Various Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems: $137$. -- Buying Dog Biscuits
• 1968: Henry Ernest Dudeney: 536 Puzzles & Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems: Miscellaneous Puzzles: $210$. Buying Dog Biscuits