Three Beggars
Creative Computing, 1974
A charitable lady met a poor man to whom she gave one cent more than half
of what she had in her purse. The poor fellow, who was a member of the United
Mendicants' Association, managed, while tendering his thanks, to chalk the
organization's sign of "a good thing" to her clothing. As a result,
she met many objects of charity as she proceeded on her journey.
To the second applicant she gave 2 cents more than half of what she had left.
To the third beggar she gave three cents more than half of the remainder.
She now had one penny left.
How much money did she start out with?
I give up, show me the Answer
All original puzzles and solutions are © Erik Oosterwal 1993-2008
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