399. Stolen Balm. Three thieves stole a vase containing 24 ounces of balm from a gentleman. Hurriedly making their escape, they met a glassware seller in the forest, from whom they bought three containers. Finding a secluded spot, the thieves decided to divide the loot, but then discovered that the capacities of their containers were 5, 11, and 13 ounces.

How could they divide the balm equally among themselves?
399. Here is one of several solutions:

\begin{tabular}{lrrrr} 
Capacity of vessels in ounces & 24 & 13 & 11 & 5 \\
Contents in the vessel: & & & & \\
before pouring & 24 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\
after 1st pouring & 0 & 8 & 11 & 5 \\
after 2nd pouring & 16 & 8 & 0 & 0 \\
after 3rd pouring & 16 & 0 & 8 & 0 \\
after 4th pouring & 3 & 13 & 8 & 0 \\
after 5th pouring & 3 & 8 & 8 & 5 \\
\hline Total & 8 & 8 & 8 & 0
\end{tabular}

[The best solution found, containing only 5 operations:

\begin{tabular}{rrrr}
8 & 0 & 11 & 5 \\
8 & 11 & 0 & 5 \\
8 & 13 & 3 & 0 \\
8 & 8 & 3 & 5 \\
8 & 8 & 8 & 0
\end{tabular}

- M. G.]