# Interesting Question

I find this question intriguing and I want to know the best way of solving it. I tried solving it for a while but got the answer after using a tedious method. Please tell me how to solve this question faster.

Note by Rohan Rao
5 years, 4 months ago

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work backwards, and assume the smallest possible value for the diminished nut pile. :) that should get you started.

- 5 years, 4 months ago

I got the answer, as you can see in the edited discussion. But I wanted to know the fastest way of solving it, since the method i used required the use of a calculator since large numbers were involved...

- 5 years, 4 months ago

The only thing I could come up with is- Let a be the number of coconuts at first, then $$a = 5b + 1$$ $$4b= 5c+1$$ $$4c=5d+1$$ and so on.. but that won't help.. will it?

- 5 years, 4 months ago

That's all very well, but when you solve the set of 6 or 7 simultaneous linear equations, it leaves you exhausted with the strain of multiplying large numbers and is also quite confusing. It is easy to make a mistake. You will get the answer after, say, 45 minutes. That's all.

- 5 years, 4 months ago

exactly... actually the board exams(West bengal board) will start tomorrow so i can;t actually ponder over a sum for long..

- 5 years, 4 months ago

Please could you send to me the whole document ( I want other questions like this one ) ?

If yes, this is my email : imenetalk@hotmail.fr

- 5 years, 4 months ago

This question is a classic puzzler, it is also found online...try http://orion.math.iastate.edu/burkardt/puzzles/coconut_puzzle.html

- 5 years, 4 months ago