Camel Paradox

The camel paradox has perplexed and unraveled the brains of many dead Arabs, and has also caused a lot of camels to be brutally murdered in the process. No one knows why, but it seems to have involved a large number of Wocs...

The Paradox

The paradox itself is an entirely logical one. An Arab has seventeen camels and three sons. He would like to share the camels out between his sons in the following shares. We shall label the sons a b and c:

$a={\frac {2}{17}}$ of all camels.

$b={\frac {3}{17}}$ of all camels.

$c={\frac {9}{17}}$ of all camels.

However, the budding mathematicians among you will of noticed that 17 is a prime number, so all of these formulas involving chopping up camels, which is frowned upon in many cultures. Luckily for the Arab, another Arab donates 1 camel to his friend, to help sort out the matters, meaning the results are as follows:

$a={\frac {2}{18}}=9$

$b={\frac {3}{18}}=6$

$c={\frac {9}{18}}=2$

WARNING! This is where your brain(s) begin to unravel:

$a+b+c=9+6+2=17$ and...

$18-17=1$ ... so the generous Arab was able to have his camel back, in one piece.

Philosophical Aspects

There are many different views on this paradox, some are quoted below...

“How does this work, I will use my camel slaying knife to work it out. DIE CAMELS”

~ <insert name here> thinking out loud

“I didn't say that. I would never say that! I wish whomever is going about misquoting me would bugger off!”

~ <insert name here> on the above quote

Explanation : The Ratio that their father left in the will, was infact not his full wealth cause it does not add up to one.