A dairy farmer dies and wills his property to his sons.
He willed half of everything to the eldest son,
one quarter of everything to the middle son,
and one sixth of everything to the youngest.

The sons divide the property, but then they realize there is a problem.
There are 11 cows; the sons don't know how to divide the cows
without killing one!

The family lawyer steps in and says, 
"Don't worry.  I have a cow which I will put in your field."
So the lawyer adds his cow and now there are 12 cows.

So the eldest son gets half (6 cows),
the middle son gets a quarter (3 cows)
and the youngest gets a sixth (2 cows).

That's 11 cows, so the lawyer takes his cow back and everyone is happy.

Did anyone come out ahead?  Or behind?