This difficult math puzzle about a bridge confused netizens: some made jokes, others sweat

The modern world is an endless stream of information and social media. There's a lot of unnecessary stuff out there, but from time to time, incredibly interesting things appear.

For example, a puzzle recently went viral, forcing users to discuss possible solutions and argue heatedly. It was shared by Express.

The task

The essence of the task is to help a group of 4 people (A, B, C, D) cross the bridge at night with only one flashlight. Each traveler moves at a different speed (A - 1 min, B - 2 min, C - 5 min, D - 10 min) and only two of them can cross the bridge at the same time and at the speed of the slowest in the pair. The flashlight must always return to those who have not yet crossed the bridge.

Try to design a route so that people cross the bridge as quickly as possible

At first glance, this puzzle is quite simple, but in fact it turned out to be much more complicated than it seems. And it is precisely its ambiguity that has made it a real viral phenomenon.

This task requires not only a logical approach but also the ability to plan and allocate resources. Therefore, the puzzle is able to challenge even the most skillful minds.

In addition, this task promotes the development of ingenuity and becomes a kind of brain trainer. In a world where we are often faced with information noise and simplistic solutions, such tasks allow us to engage in abstract thinking and look at the problem from different angles.

Social media exploded with comments, where users shared their approaches to solving the problem, provided calculations, and even created memes based on this task.

Some suggested that the first pair should light the way for the other from afar, while others suggested that traveler A should carry their companions on their back. At the same time, other users were convinced that it was impossible to come up with a route that would take less than 19 minutes, but none of these suggestions are correct.

The correct answer

First, let people A and B go. Their path will take 2 minutes. Only A will be returning - 1 minute. Then let C and D go. It will take 10 minutes. Finally, let B carry the flashlight to the beginning of the path and then return with A. This will take a total of 4 minutes.

2+1+10+2+2=17.

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