Brain Teaser No : 9

A mule and a donkey were carrying full sacks on their backs.

The mule started complaining that his load was too heavy. The donkey said to him "Why are you
complaining? If you gave me one of your sacks I'd have double what you have and if I give you one of my
sacks we'd have an even amount."

How many sacks were each of them carrying? Give the minimal possible answer.
Submitted by : Megan Ponta

Answer

The mule was carrying 5 sacks and the donkey was carrying 7 sacks.

Let's assume that the mule was carrying M sacks and the donkey was carrying D sacks.

As the donkey told the mule, "If you gave me one of your sacks I'd have double what you have."
D + 1 = 2 * (M-1)
D + 1 = 2M - 2
D = 2M - 3

The donkey also said, "If I give you one of my sacks we'd have an even amount."
D-1=M+1
D=M+2

Comparing both the equations,

2M - 3 = M + 2
M=5

Substituting M=5 in any of above equation, we get D=7

Hence, the mule was carrying 5 sacks and the donkey was carrying 7 sacks