my camel is eating my banana's

Yes! We Have Some Bananas
[size=7]533 1/3 bananas well 533 anyway

First leg-out, back, out, back, out. 5 one way trips bananas consumed 1000, bananas moved 2000 1000/5=200 units.
Status 2000 bananas at unit 200

Second leg out, back, out. 3 one way trips
Bananas consumed 1000, bananas moved 1000
1000/3=333 1/3 units
Status 1000 bananas at unit 200+333 1/3=533 1/3

Third les one trip 466 2/3 units (1000-533 1/3)
Bananas consumed 466 2/3
Bananas delivered on far side 533 1/3.[/size]

Question, What is the minimum number of bananas needed to get both ways across the 1000 unit expanse?

Rap c∫;?/

Aprox 3,468 and 2/3 of a banana (arriving without a single banana)

Good job! by the way.

Re: Yes! We Have Some Bananas

That's what I came up with too. But I really don't know if it is a minimum. I've always wondered if there is a proof? It was given to me at a math educator's symposium.

Good job!

Rap c∫;?/

What's the method?

this is one of those riddles that even though you have the most logical and most efficient answer, you keep thinking that there is a better way! I struggled with this one for days!!!!!Even though I had already come up with the answer. As far as the method goes,.....I'm not good with equations! I just know that you needed to find the most efficient way to get the most bananas across. It would be great if someone could figure out the equation though!

I pulled this riddle from:

www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~wwu/riddles/easy.shtml#dominantFifth

They have a few more good ones....d'know if it is kosher here to pull riddles from another board!!! Let me know if I am to be banished! hope not!

RapRap, do you have an equation or method for this?

I've seen the solution for the standard problem. I'm wondering about the method for Rap's variant.

I can get to 3666 2/3.

I've got an account there. So does Rap.

Probably your camel is not a camel but a monkey.

This is a trick question. Camels don't eat bananas.

0 bananas. If it eats 1 banana per unit, and it carries 1000 bananas, then youll have 1 banana by the time you get to the 999 unit mark. Unless you run back and forth with a banana per unit then you can get 1000 bananas, if you feed it 1000 bananas but you'll sure definatly be tired running back and forth with a banana in your hand.

(Did not take in consideration how many bananas you can take with you, could just add X bananas to how many you are able to take with Camel, while it eats 1000 on its trip)

So in one trip 1000 bananas by camel, 1000 are eaten, and perhaps you carry the other 1000? (or, as i said earlier, add X bananas to 1000.)

edit: Assuming Camels infact do eat bananas. Or just replace Bananas with food camels do eat.

OR just give the Camel a ton of water, it'll be full the rest of the way and be able to transport all 3000 bananas!

i think its 0

2

You have to give him one before he starts moving. (lets call the Camel Bill.)
You have 3000. You give 1 to Bill, to pay for one unit. 2999. Put 1000 on Bill's back. for the 999 units he has to carry them, you pay for them with 999 bananas. 1 banana to the end. You're down to 2000 bananas. Repeat the process.