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Problem
of the Week |
Many thanks to long-time puzzle-solver Ray Kremer for the first puzzle of the Fall semester.
PROBLEM 66
Four Scouts have to cross a dangerous bridge to get to their campground. It is nighttime and they have one candle between them which will burn for a mere 17 minutes after it is lit. If the candle goes out once lit, they have no way to re-light it.
The bridge will hold at most two Scouts at a time, and
each crossing must take place with the lighted candle. The candle
must be walked across with each group; it cannot be thrown, for example,
as it would go out. Each Scout walks at a different rate, and any
two Scouts walking together must walk at the rate of the slower camper's
rate. The Scouts walk at the following rates:
| M.J. | 1 minute to cross |
| Ollie | 2 minutes to cross |
| Libin | 5 minutes to cross |
| Kathy | 10 minutes to cross |
Can they make it across, and if so, how?
(There is no "tricky" wording here. Take the meaning
of everything at face value!)
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