Question

If you have a 3-gallon bucket, a 4-gallon bucket, and a water source, how can you measure out exactly 2 gallons?

A) Fill the 3-gallon bucket twice.
B) Fill the 4-gallon bucket and pour 2 gallons into the 3-gallon bucket.
C) Fill the 3-gallon bucket and pour it into the 4-gallon bucket twice.
D) Fill the 4-gallon bucket, pour it into the 3-gallon bucket until it's full, and then fill the 4-gallon bucket again until it reaches 2 gallons.

Answer 1

To measure exactly 2 gallons, fill the 4-gallon bucket, pour into the 3-gallon bucket until it's full, empty the 3-gallon bucket, transfer the remaining 1 gallon into the 3-gallon bucket, refill the 4-gallon bucket, and pour in enough water to fill the 3-gallon bucket, leaving 2 gallons in the 4-gallon bucket.

Step-by-step explanation:

To measure out exactly 2 gallons using a 3-gallon bucket, a 4-gallon bucket, and a water source, follow these steps:

1. Fill the 4-gallon bucket completely with water.
2. Pour water from the 4-gallon bucket into the 3-gallon bucket until it is full, which will leave you with 1 gallon in the 4-gallon bucket.
3. Empty the 3-gallon bucket.
4. Pour the remaining 1 gallon from the 4-gallon bucket into the 3-gallon bucket.
5. Fill the 4-gallon bucket completely again. Then pour water into the 3-gallon bucket, which already contains 1 gallon, until it is full.
6. Since the 3-gallon bucket can only hold 2 more gallons, now you have exactly 2 gallons in the 4-gallon bucket.

This method ensures that you get precisely 2 gallons in the 4-gallon bucket.