No. I.
Two countrymen were going along the road, each driving sheep.
Said one, "Hi, neighbor, give me one of your sheep, and then I shall
have twice as many as you will have."
"Nay, neighbor," replied the other, "give me one of your sheep, and then
we shall both have the same number."
How many sheep did each have?
No. II.
An old man lived in a little hut by a bridge which crossed a deep river.
One day a wicked water-spirit appeared to him and said: "My friend, I
know you are very poor. Now I will increase whatever money you may have
twofold, asking only in return this small favor, that every time you
cross the bridge you will throw twenty-four cents into the water, and at
the same time the money you have left shall be doubled." The poor old
man was delighted at what he thought a generous offer of the
water-spirit, and faithfully fulfilled all the conditions; but, to his
sorrow and astonishment, when he had three times thrown the tribute of
twenty-four cents to the water-spirit, he found himself penniless.
How much money did he have when the water-spirit first appeared to him?
No. III.
A good mother went to buy eggs for her children, for the Easter season
was approaching, and the eggs were to be colored red and blue. She
bought from a grocer half of his entire stock and half an egg more. Then
a second woman came, and she bought half of what the grocer had
remaining and half an egg more. A third woman and a fourth woman did the
same thing, and in the end the grocer had one egg left.
How many had he in the beginning?
No. IV.
A man had seven sons, and a property of $49,000. Now the younger sons
were jealous because their father spent more for the elder brother than
he did for them, and they entreated him to make his will in their favor.
To satisfy their demands he made his will, and the younger sons were
contented. This is the will: The oldest son to have $1000 and an eighth
of what remained; the second son to have $2000 and an eighth of what
remained; the third, $3000 and an eighth of what remained; the fourth,
$4000 and an eighth of what remained; the fifth, $5000 and an eighth of
what remained; the sixth, $6000 and an eighth of what remained; the
seventh and youngest to have all that remained when the sixth had taken
his share.
What share of the $49,000 did each receive?
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