MPM1D_0000_17Horses

The 3 sons actually received more than they were entitled to according to the will. If the 17 original horses had been divided according to the original will there would have been 17/18 of a horse remaining

17 horses - [(1/2)(17) + (1/3)(17) + (1/9)(17)] = 17/18

By getting 9 horses the eldest son actually received an extra 1/2 of a horse. By getting 6 horses the middle son got an extra 1/3 of a horse By getting 2 horses the youngest son got 1/9 of a horse

1/2 + 1/3 + 1/9 = 17/18