This is a fascinating puzzle that requires patience and a logical strategy. The objective is to specify the amount of liquid from each of the three bottles, when administered together to the growing watermelon, will have the greatest effect. What is the largest watermelon that can be produced? You can earn a Transum trophy if you can cultivate a record breaking specimen.

There are no labels on the bottles indicating what is inside. We suspect that the bottles contain different types of fertiliser but we have no idea how much of each of the liquids you should use. We do know however that too much from any one bottle may have an adverse effect.

A 'trial and improvement' strategy is called for to successfully complete this thought provoking challenge.

Do you have any comments? It is always useful to receive feedback and helps make this free resource even more useful for those learning Mathematics anywhere in the world. Click here to enter your comments.