SEED Science

The Right Amount of Water

Math Puzzles of the Month
The Right Amount of Water

Can you measure out exactly 4 L of water?

You have three large jugs with capacities of 3, 5, and 8 L (3.2, 5.3, and 8.5 qt). The 8-L jug is filled with water. Your task is to measure out exactly 4 L of water. You have no other containers to work with, and there are no markings indicating fractions of each container.

You may pour the water from one container to another as many times as you want. You may discard the extra water.

You will find this and many other great math puzzles at Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles.

Make up some puzzles like these and send them in with your solutions. We’ll post them in the SEED Science Center.

After you've tried this for yourself, check our solution.

 


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