Mathturion

The Cook’s Measuring Trick

The chief cook of Ancient Rome stood before the bustling kitchen holding two measuring vessels — one holding five cups and the other three. As he prepared a special non-alcoholic drink for the emperor’s guests, he challenged the young apprentices with a task:

“Here I have a jar of the finest fruit cordial, and these two measures. Tell me, how can I place exactly one cup of drink into each vessel?”

Using only the jar and the two vessels, measure out exactly 1 cup into each vessel at any point during your sequence. No other vessels, no marks.

Each time a vessel reaches exactly 1 cup it will glow gold — achieve this in both vessels (at any point) to win. Optimal solution: 6 steps.