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Two farmers were selling eggs. Each had 300 eggs. The first farmer was asking 1 cent for 2 eggs, while the second farmer was asking 1 cent for 3 eggs. They agreed to put their eggs together and sell 5 eggs for 2 cents. But 10 cents was lost in the transaction!. Explain what happened? Thanks.

 Dec 16, 2016
 #1
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If the first farmer only sells his eggs....he makes $1.50   = .5 cent = 1/2  cent for each egg

 

If the second farmer sells only his eggs.....he makes $1.00 =  1/3 cent for each egg

 

So the total made is  300 * (1/2) cents + 300 * (1/3)cents  =  [150 + 100 ]  cents = 250 cents = $2.50

 

However....if they combine their products......they sell  600 eggs at  2/5 cents each  = 600 * (2/5) cents  = 240 cents = $2.40

 

To make the same profit by combining eggs........each egg should have been sold   at  [ 1/2 + 1/3 ] / 2  =  5/12 cents

 

Proof :   600 * 5/12 =  50 * 5   = 250 cents  = $2.50

 

 

cool cool cool

 Dec 16, 2016
 #2
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The first farmer was asking 1/2 cent for an egg, thus he should have received 1/2 x $3=$1.50(for 300 eggs). The second farmer was asking 1/3 cent for an egg, hence, he should have received 1/3 x $3 =$1.00 (for 300 eggs.) Therefore, both together should have received: $1.50 + $1.00 =$2.50. However, by combining their eggs, they got only 2/5 cents per egg. That is, the rate was changed, so that they received: 2/5 x $6.00 =$2.40 (for 600 eggs). Hence, together they lost:$2.50 -$2.40 =0.10 cents. However, the second farmer received $1.20 - $1.00 =0.20 cents more, while the first farmer lost: $1.50 - $1.20 =0.30 cents. Boy, pretty cheap eggs!!

 Dec 16, 2016

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