19 cows

A farmer with three sons has died, and in his will he states how the his 19 cows should be divided between the three sons.

The eldest son should receive 1/2 of my cows
The second son should receive 1/4 of my cows
The third son should reveive 1/5 of my cows

How are the cows divided, according to his will? Cows must remain whole at all times, they may not be split or shared.

He borrows a cow from the neighbor's farm, giving him 20.

Eldest son gets 1/2 = 10
Second son gets 1/4 = 5
Youngest gets 1/5 = 4

They return the borrowed cow, and everyone is satisfied.

Originally posted by sven1000
He borrows a cow from the neighbor's farm

How can he borrow a cow when he is already dead?

I've seen this one before. The answer is cute, but it doesn't really solve anything.

its because 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/5 is not a full but just 19/20.

Originally posted by sven1000
He borrows a cow from the neighbor's farm, giving him 20.

Eldest son gets 1/2 = 10
Second son gets 1/4 = 5
Youngest gets 1/5 = 4

They return the borrowed cow, and everyone is satisfied.

EDIT: Silly me.

Originally posted by Dejection
A farmer with three sons has died, and in his will he states how the his 19 cows should be divided between the three sons.

The eldest son should receive 1/2 of my cows
The second son should receive 1/4 of my cows
The third son should reveive 1/5 of my cows

How are the cows divided, according to his will? Cows must remain whole at all times, they may not be split or shared.

One of the cows is pregnant?