Cutting a Gold Chain

[jimoo]

Here is a twist to the cutting a gold bar question.

thread1551-1395379

The goal is to cut the 7 link chain using the least number of cuts in order to pay the perons in equal amounts for 7 days.

The answer is different than the gold bar answer.

Have fun.

Jim

 

[Golom]

Assuming that they don't spend any of their gold so that they can give change

Spoiler

x x x x / x x / x

x is a link and / is a cut.

 

[ousoonerjoe]

Not sure if this follows the intent of the puzzle:

Spoiler

Lay the chain out in a straight line. Make a single cut down the middle of the chain traveling the length of all links. Results in 14 pieces as each link will be cut in two. Give the employee 2 pieces per day for 7 days.

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Bluto: What? Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? No!
Otter: Germans?
Boon: Forget it, he's rolling.
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[strongm]

[hide]1 cut

ooooooo

Cut the highlighted link, resulting in

o (this is the cut link)
oo
oooo

After that the solution is the same as gold bar problem.[/hide]

 

[jimoo]

stongm - your soluton is correct, but it is not the same answer as the old bar.

The gold bar requires 2 cuts, the chain only requires one at the 3rd link. Take the link off and give it to the person, then take it back and give them the 2 piece link, and so on...

Again - very similar to the gold bar, but you can do it with just one cut using a chain.



Jim

 

[guitarzan]

... which is exactly what strongm said. Once you cut the correct link (one cut), you get three parts, and can then solve the problem same as the gold bar problem.

 

[strongm]

Quite so

 

[jimoo]

Sorry - misread it. Yep, 1 is the answer.

Jim

 

[BobRodes]

I still don't think that giving someone a gold link with the understanding that they have to return it the next day constitutes "payment".

 

[IPGuru]

None
Sell the chain & pay in cash!