Question

It’s 1851. You were on a whaling mission, but a terrible storm tore your ship apart. Out of a crew of 27, there are only 5 of you left, stranded on a rowboat waiting-hoping- to drift toward land or get picked up by a passing ship .All you have to eat is a box of cookies-20 in all. And, thankfully, a 40-gallon barrel marked "Drinking Water." Chained to that barrel is a metal measuring cup marked "1 cup." The first mate, the only officer left alive, remarked that he had heard that a 40-gallong barrel of water lasted 10 men for 16 days after their ship, the SS Jefferson, went down several years ago. You know you must establish hard and fast rules now about how much water each person can drink each day before everyone becomes crazy with thirst. The oceans abound with tales of what happens to dehydrated sailors. You don’t want to end up like those people!

How long will the barrel of water keep the 5 of you alive until you either reach land or get rescued at sea?

Answer 1

Based on the anecdote provided, a 40-gallon barrel of water would last for 32 days for 5 men, each consuming a ration of 0.25 gallons per day. Establishing a strict daily water ration is critical for survival.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario you provided pertains to survival at sea and water consumption, which involves mathematical calculations for determining the duration the available water will be sufficient for the survivors. Since, based on the anecdote of the SS Jefferson, a 40-gallon barrel of water lasted 10 men for 16 days, we can estimate how long that same amount will last for 5 men, assuming similar conditions and daily water intake.

The daily water consumption per man is thus 40 gallons / (10 men * 16 days) = 0.25 gallons per man per day. For 5 men, this would be 5 * 0.25 = 1.25 gallons per day. Therefore, the 40-gallon barrel would last for 40 gallons / 1.25 gallons per day = 32 days.