SOLUTION: Euclid is supposed to have given the following problem (about 300 BC): A mule and a donkey were going to market laden with wheat. the mule said, "If you give me one measure, I sho

Question 951600: Euclid is supposed to have given the following problem (about 300 BC):
A mule and a donkey were going to market laden with wheat. the mule said, "If you give me one measure, I should carry twice as much as you, but if I give you one, we should have equal burdens." what was each of their burdens?
Found 2 solutions by josmiceli, macston:
Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let = mule's burden
Let = donkey's burden
--------------------------
given:
(1)
(2)
------------------------
(1)
(1
and
(2)
(2)
--------------------
Add (1) and (2)

and
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
The mule has 7 and the donkey has 5
---------------------------------
check:
Donkey gives mule 1, so donkey now
has 4 and mule has 8
8 is twice 4, OK
------------------
Mule gives donkey 1, so mule has 6 and
donkey has 6
6 = 6, OK

Answer by macston(5194) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
m=mule's load; d=donkey's load
m-1=d+1 Add 1 to each side.
m=d+2
m+1=2(d-1) Substitute for m.
d+2+1=2d-2 Add 2 to each side.
d+5=2d Subtract d from each side.
5=d ANSWER 1:The donkey carries 5 measures.
m=d+2=5+2=7 ANSWER 2: The mule carries 7 measures.
CHECK:
m+1=2(d-1)
7+1=2(5-1)
8=2(4)
8=8
RELATED QUESTIONS
A mule and donkey were going to market laden with wheat .The mule said "If you give me... (answered by RAY100)
A donkey must transport 900 carrots to the market, which is 300 miles away. The donkey... (answered by macston)
A donkey is tied with a rope to a post which is 15m from a fence.If the length of the... (answered by greenestamps)
dear tutor, I tryed my best on my math homework but I can't figure it out. I left... (answered by rapaljer)
I have a triangleABC that is bisected by a lineAD. I am supposed to prove the triangle... (answered by richwmiller,solver91311)
Hi. I have a problem that I'm having difficulty solving, and I'm curious if I have even... (answered by Alan3354)
An ox and a mule were comparing the number of sacks they had to carry. The ox said,... (answered by richwmiller)
Please help me with this question. A pony and a donkey were carrying some bundles of... (answered by josmiceli)
It took a mule 2/3 of an hour to go 4/5 of a mile. At that pace, how long would it take... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)