# Hen and a half

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hen-and-a-half/68>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [May 18, 1999, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hen-and-a-half/68 "1999-05-18T13:19:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 1999, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hen-and-a-half/68/1 "1999-05-18T13:19:00Z")

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I have heard a version of the ‘hen and a half’ question for many years that goes:

If a hen and a half  
can lay an egg and a half  
in a day and a half  
and allow.  
How many can she lay in a week?

Given your algebra we know the answer to be 4 2/3 (7 \* 2/3) but of course the answer is 4 to allow for the wear and tear on the chicken.

Not much of a joke I admit but I enjoyed seeing the variation treated so analytically on the web site.

G…