Henry Ernest Dudeney/Modern Puzzles/89 - The Seventeen Horses

Modern Puzzles by Henry Ernest Dudeney: $89$

The Seventeen Horses

"I suppose you all know this old puzzle," said Jeffries.

"A farmer left seventeen horses to be divided among his three sons in the following proportions:

To the eldest, one-half;

to the second, one-third;

and to the youngest, one-ninth.

How should they be divided?

"Yes; I think we all know that," said Robinson, "but it can't be done.

The answer always given is a fallacy."

(Considerable pointless argument ensues.)

... The terms of the will can be exactly carried out, without any mutilation of a horse.

... How should the horses be divided in strict accordance with the directions?

Sources

• 1926: Henry Ernest Dudeney: Modern Puzzles ... (previous) ... (next): Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems: Various Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems: $89$. -- The Seventeen Horses
• 1968: Henry Ernest Dudeney: 536 Puzzles & Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems: Miscellaneous Puzzles: $172$. The Seventeen Horses