Question

a monkey and his owner have collected 5000 coconuts. they want to sell their coconuts in the nearby city 1500 miles away. the monkey is going to travel across the oasis carrying as many coconuts as he can to the other side. (his owner must stay behind and guard the coconuts.) the monkey is fiercely strong and can carry 1000 coconuts at a time. however he eats one coconut every mile. what is the maximum number of coconuts the monkey can get across the oasis? how does the monkey do it? explain in detail how you arrived to your answer. hint: the monkey does not have to go all the way across the oasis in one trip.

Answer 1

The monkey can travel by water, carrying all coconuts at once. Because it is an oasis there is fresh water he can drink, and go across in a boat. An oasis is usually found in the desert, and they have water and trees. If the monkey were to take all of the coconuts at once, carrying them onto the boat 1000 at a time, he will not have to eat any coconuts. And if he does, he takes 1500 more.