The Four-Litre Finish
brainteaser
You have two unmarked jugs. One holds exactly three litres, and the other holds exactly five litres. A water supply and a drain are both available, so you may use as much water as needed.
Each of the following actions counts as one move: filling a jug completely, emptying a jug completely, or pouring from one jug into the other until either the first jug is empty or the second jug is full. You may not stop pouring partway through.
What is the fewest number of moves needed to leave exactly four litres in the five-litre jug? The amount left in the three-litre jug does not matter.
Hints
Hint 1
Hint 2
Hint 3
Solution
Commit an attempt to unseal the proof. Write your answer — right or wrong, thinking it through is the point.
What is the minimum number of moves?
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