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Yo ho ho and a BARREL of rum?

 
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Michael Chu



Joined: 10 May 2005
Posts: 1654
Location: Austin, TX (USA)

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 12:27 am    Post subject: Yo ho ho and a BARREL of rum? Reply with quote

An argument has broken out over whether or not a barrel that looks to be about half full more or less than half full. Without any measuring devices (like a ruler, yardstick, measuring cup, etc.) how can the it be easily determined if the barrel is more or less than half full? The barrel has no lid and no rum was taken out.
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capstinence



Joined: 12 May 2005
Posts: 44
Location: Los Angeles, CA

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 2:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You could mark the current level of the rum, then put a lid on the barrel, flip it over, and open it up on the other end. If the level of the rum at that point is lower than the mark, it means that the barrel is less than half full. However, if the level of the rum passes the mark, the barrel is over half full.

I am, of course, assuming I'm allowed to mark the barrel.
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Michael Chu



Joined: 10 May 2005
Posts: 1654
Location: Austin, TX (USA)

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 2:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hmmm... interesting solution. That could work, but I have another solution in mind that does not involve marking the barrel. Let us say that the testers have no tools at all.
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capstinence



Joined: 12 May 2005
Posts: 44
Location: Los Angeles, CA

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 4:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I got nothin' then.. but I'll sleep on it.
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capstinence



Joined: 12 May 2005
Posts: 44
Location: Los Angeles, CA

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 6:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tip the barrel until the rum is both touching the lip of the barrel, as well as just managing to cover the entire bottom portion.. it's hard to explain without a diagram (I assume you know what I'm talking about, if not I'll scan it in). If some water pours out before you get to this point, you had over half... if it can't reach that point, you have less.

Whew. I was gonna be up all night.
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Michael Chu



Joined: 10 May 2005
Posts: 1654
Location: Austin, TX (USA)

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 6:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I thought you were going to wait until tomorrow! That's right.

Tipping the barrel until the rum reaches the lip and looking to see if you can see the bottom of the barrel. If you can see the bottom of the barrel, then it is less than half full. If the bottom of the barrel is not yet visible, then the barrel is more than half full!
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Cheshire Cat
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 4:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Drink the contents of the barrel. Then, you'll no longer care whether it was empty, full or indeed anything...
Laughing Out Loud

Oh well, I worked it out though. Capstinence, you seem to have beaten me to getting all the real answers, so I have to make something else up Wink
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