A donkey (D) and a mule (M) were carrying sacks of apples. The donkey groaned so the mule said to him, "Why are you complaining? If you gave me one sack, I would have twice as many as you; if I gave you one of my sacks, then we would have equal loads."

Question

A donkey (D) and a mule (M) were carrying sacks of apples.  The donkey groaned so the mule said to him, "Why are you complaining?  If you gave me one sack, I would have twice as many as you; if I gave you one of my sacks, then we would have equal loads."

How many sacks was each carrying?

bobpursley · Accepted Answer

Start with the second M-1=D+1 or M=D+2 the first statement says: (D-1)2=M+1 Or M=2D-3 so D+2=2D-3 or D=5 and M=7

Glen · Answer

Thank you!

Sticks101 · Answer

Donkey actually has 7 and mule has 5

anonymous · Answer

wrong the mule has seven & donkey has 5!!!

Fred · Answer

So mule is 7 and donkey is 5

Why should i say · Answer

Bob is right

Jeff · Answer

I’m confused which is right

fred 2.0 · Answer

The answer is mule seven and donkey 5.
If the donkey gave a sack to the mule it would have 4 and mule 8= 2x more than donkey, however, if the donkey was given a sack they would both have six making them have equal amount of sacks.