The Three Travelers.
Three men met at a caravansary or inn, in Persia; and two of them brought their provisions along with them, according to the custom of the country; but the third, not having provided any, proposed to the others that they should eat together, and he would pay the value of his proportion. This being agreed to, A produced 5 loaves, and B 3 loaves, all of which the travelers ate together, and C paid 8 pieces of money as the value of his share, with which the others were satisfied, but quarreled about the division of it. Upon this the matter was referred to the judge, who decided impartially. What was his decision?
At first sight it would seem that the money should be divided according to the bread furnished; but we must consider that as the 3 ate 8 loaves, each one ate 2 2/3 loaves of the bread he furnished. This from 5 would leave 2 1/3 loaves furnished the stranger by A; and 3 - 2 2/3 = 1/3 furnished by B, hence 2 1/3 to 1/3 = 7 to 1, is the ratio in which the money is to be divided. If you imagine A and B to furnish, and C to consume all, then the division will be according to amounts furnished.