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Literary
August 3, 1905
The San Angelo Press
San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas
What is this article about?
A prose puzzle presents the question of how much greater four fourths is than three-fourths, illustrating two views using shillings and pounds: one argues it's one-fourth more absolutely, reaching a sovereign; the other, one-third more relatively to the original amount.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
CAN YOU SOLVE THIS?
A Problem That Seems Simple, but That Will Invite Discussion.
How much greater than three-fourths is four fourths?
At first sight it seems an easy question, but put it to your arithmetical friends and you will probably find that it will divide them into two parties, one contending that the answer is one fourth and the other as positively affirming that it is one-third, while both will be ready to prove the accuracy of their respective solutions.
The party of the first part (to use a legal phrase) may argue their point in this way:
Five shillings is the fourth part of a pound. If you have 15 shillings, or three-fourths of a pound, and somebody gives you another fourth part you have a sovereign-ergo, your four fourths is one fourth greater than three-fourths.
But this will not suit the other party at all, and they will proceed scornfully to point out that the argument is all wrong, since if you have 15 shillings and somebody is generous enough to add 5 shillings to it the donor is only giving you one-third of the amount you already possess (5 times 3 equals 15), therefore your sovereign is only one-third more than your 15 shillings.
It is a pretty problem, and expert accountants have been known to wrangle over it for hours. London Answers.
A Problem That Seems Simple, but That Will Invite Discussion.
How much greater than three-fourths is four fourths?
At first sight it seems an easy question, but put it to your arithmetical friends and you will probably find that it will divide them into two parties, one contending that the answer is one fourth and the other as positively affirming that it is one-third, while both will be ready to prove the accuracy of their respective solutions.
The party of the first part (to use a legal phrase) may argue their point in this way:
Five shillings is the fourth part of a pound. If you have 15 shillings, or three-fourths of a pound, and somebody gives you another fourth part you have a sovereign-ergo, your four fourths is one fourth greater than three-fourths.
But this will not suit the other party at all, and they will proceed scornfully to point out that the argument is all wrong, since if you have 15 shillings and somebody is generous enough to add 5 shillings to it the donor is only giving you one-third of the amount you already possess (5 times 3 equals 15), therefore your sovereign is only one-third more than your 15 shillings.
It is a pretty problem, and expert accountants have been known to wrangle over it for hours. London Answers.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What keywords are associated?
Arithmetic Puzzle
Fractions
Shillings
Pound
Sovereign
Relative Increase
Absolute Increase
What entities or persons were involved?
London Answers.
Literary Details
Title
Can You Solve This? A Problem That Seems Simple, But That Will Invite Discussion.
Author
London Answers.
Subject
How Much Greater Than Three Fourths Is Four Fourths?
Key Lines
How Much Greater Than Three Fourths Is Four Fourths?
Five Shillings Is The Fourth Part Of A Pound. If You Have 15 Shillings, Or Three Fourths Of A Pound, And Somebody Gives You Another Fourth Part You Have A Sovereign Ergo, Your Four Fourths Is One Fourth Greater Than Three Fourths.
If You Have 15 Shillings And Somebody Is Generous Enough To Add 5 Shillings To It The Donor Is Only Giving You One Third Of The Amount You Already Possess (5 Times 3 Equals 15), Therefore Your Sovereign Is Only One Third More Than Your 15 Shillings.