A simple framework, a clear difficulty and an exit that seems almost obvious when it has already been seen: these are the best distribution problems of the Arab tradition.

The inheritance of the 17 camels (Arab tradition)

Reasoner
Timeless ingenuity

Riddle statement

A father leaves 17 camels to his three sons with these conditions:

  • the eldest receives \(1/2\);
  • to the second, \(1/3\);
  • to the minor, \(1/9\).

It is not allowed to split any camel.

How can the distribution be made respecting the will?