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Equal shares of a treasure

BrainteasersHard

A treasure of coins is shared among some heirs in order. Heir takes coin and then of the coins left after that. Heir then takes coins and of the coins left after that, and in general heir takes coins and then of what remains. All shares are whole numbers, every heir receives the same amount, and the treasure is used up exactly. The treasure has more than coin. How many coins were in the treasure?

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A whole number, a decimal, a fraction like 3/8 or a percent.

Hint

Compare the first shares and use the fact that they are equal.

Solution
  1. If the treasure is , heir gets and leaves .
  2. Heir then gets .
  3. Setting the shares equal and multiplying by gives , so .
  4. Check: the shares are , , and , leaving , so the treasure held coins.

Answer: