Thread: arithmetic problem

I have two one-quart jars; the first is filled with water, and the second is empty. I pour half of the water in the first jar into the second, then a third of the water in the second jar into the first, then a fourth of the water in the first jar into the second, then a fifth of the water in the second jar into the first, and so on. How much water is in the first jar after the 10th pour? Express your answer as a common fraction.

Hello sri340

Originally Posted by sri340

I have two one-quart jars; the first is filled with water, and the second is empty. I pour half of the water in the first jar into the second, then a third of the water in the second jar into the first, then a fourth of the water in the first jar into the second, then a fifth of the water in the second jar into the first, and so on. How much water is in the first jar after the 10th pour? Express your answer as a common fraction.

I think it's just pints.

Set up three columns, showing the number of the pour, and the quantities in each jar after each pour. Like this:

After each odd-numbered pour, there's a pint in each jar. So after the pour, where of the quantity in B gets transferred, there'll be pints in A.

Grandad