Propositiones ad Acuendos Juvenes/Problems/51 - De Vino in Vasculis a Quodam Patre Distributo

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Propositiones ad Acuendos Juvenes by Alcuin of York: Problem $50$

De Vino in Vasculis a Quodam Patre Distributo
A Father Dividing Flasks of Wine
A dying man left his sons four flasks of wine.
In the first flask there were $40$ measures,
in the second $30$,
in the third $20$,
and in the fourth $10$.
Calling his steward, he said:
"Divide these $4$ flasks among my $4$ sons so that each of their portions shall be equal,
both in wine and in flasks."


Solution

Add all the wine together to get $100$ measures.

Take half of that to get $50$ measures.

Add the $10$ measures to the $40$ to make $50$ measures, and divide that up between $2$ of the sons, so they get $25$ measures each.

Then add the $20$ measures to the $30$ to again make $50$ measures, and divide that up between the other $2$ sons, so they also get $25$ measures each.


Historical Note

John Hadley points out that "the solution is hardly more enlightening than the problem."

It may be intended that some shifting of the wine is to happen.


Sources

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