Inheritance

[Novai]

Three sons are left an inheritance by their late father of 11 horses. The eldest receives 1/2. The next receives 1/4. The youngest receives 1/6. Not wanting to cut up their horses, the sons visit the wise man who quickly presents a solution. Each son receives his correct share and no horses are harmed. What was the solution?

[ajkei]

The man gives them another horse and takes the 1 remaining horse when they are divided up.
11+1 horses go to:
6 - Eldest son
3 - Middle son
2 - Youngest son
1 - Wise man

Correct?

[Novai]

...Yes.
Well, that didn't last long. :P Well done.

[ajkei]

YAY!

[ajkei]

Though that wasn't really a lateral thinking puzzle, more like a math problem...

[FrostByte]

Ezpz.
1/2 + 1/4 + 1/6 =/= 1
3/6 + 1.5/6 + 1/6 = 5.5/6
Derp.

[Duzero]

So the wise man took away 5 of their horses and then cut one in half? Was this man chuch testa?