Ok, slightly less lateral for those who don't like such problems (or can't do them).
A party of 4 people need to cross a rope bridge in the middle of the jungle at night. They have one torch, and they can only cross the bridge when in possession of it. They can cross the bridge in the following times:
Person A: 1 minute.
Person B: 2 minutes.
Person C: 5 minutes.
Person D: 10 minutes.
Two people at maximum can cross the bridge at the same time (with one holding the torch). When two people are crossing, they both move at the slower person's rate (so Person A crossing with Person D would take 10 minutes). You cannot throw the torch, or the people, across the bridge. So, can you find a way of getting all the people across the bridge to the other side in 17 minutes?
Answer (only look if you give up!):
A party of 4 people need to cross a rope bridge in the middle of the jungle at night. They have one torch, and they can only cross the bridge when in possession of it. They can cross the bridge in the following times:
Person A: 1 minute.
Person B: 2 minutes.
Person C: 5 minutes.
Person D: 10 minutes.
Two people at maximum can cross the bridge at the same time (with one holding the torch). When two people are crossing, they both move at the slower person's rate (so Person A crossing with Person D would take 10 minutes). You cannot throw the torch, or the people, across the bridge. So, can you find a way of getting all the people across the bridge to the other side in 17 minutes?
Answer (only look if you give up!):