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nydus/The Canterbury Puzzles, and Other Curious ProblemsPublic
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31 .— The Manciple's Puzzle.

The simple Ploughman, who was so ridiculed for his opinion, was perfectly correct: the Miller should receive seven pieces of money, and the Weaver only one.

As all three ate equal shares of the bread, it should be evident that each ate 8/3 of a loaf.

Therefore, as the Miller provided 15/3 and ate 8/3, he contributed 7/3 to the Manciple's meal; whereas the Weaver provided 9/3, ate 8/3, and contributed only 1/3.

Therefore, since they contributed to the Manciple in the proportion of 7 to 1, they must divide the eight pieces of money in the same proportion.

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