Puzzles/Action sequences/Barrel of Ale/Solution

Puzzles | Action sequences | Barrel of Ale | Solution

There are 6 operations that can be done in any order to arrive at one pint. These are: Filling the 5 pint mug, filling the 3 pint mug, pouring the contents of the 5 pint mug into the 3 pint mug, pouring the contents of the 3 pint mug into the 5 pint mug, emptying the 3 pint mug (presumably by drinking it), and emptying the 5 pint mug. Using these operations, there are two ways to arrive at 1 pint.

Or, much more quickly: