At the end, the field has zero pounds of grass remaining. At the start the field already has N pounds of grass standing. The field grows Y pounds of grass per day. Let's say one cow can eat X pounds of grass per day. Now pay the man in the following way.ĭay 1: give him a single link (Pay = 1 link)ĭay 2: Exchange the single link with the double link (Pay = 2 links)ĭay 3: Give him a single link (Pay = 3 links)ĭay 4: Exchange the 3 links (single link and the 2 link chain)ĭay 5: Give him the single link (Pay = 5 links)ĭay 6: Exchange the single link for the double link (Pay = 6 links)ĭay 7: Give him the single link (Pay = 7 links) This will give you a single link (that has been cut), a chain of two links and a chain of four links. HOWEVER, one of our visitors has suggested that IF the worker agrees to not spend his pay until after the week is over AND to do an exchange most days, you can pay him each day by making only ONE cut in the chain. Then cutting each of those in the middle of the remaining two sections (of three links each) will divide the chain into individual links.

So first cutting the middle (fourth) link will yield a single link and two chains 3 links long.

When you cut a link, you can remove the adjacent link from each side. The chain can be divided with just three cuts. AND REMEMBER: You also have to count the time it takes to go back across the bridge with the flashlight! Find a logical solution where all four people reach the other side safely in 17 minutes or less-but this solution cannot include having any of them go only halfway across, or go across in the dark, or throw the flashlight across, etc. There are only 17 minutes before the lava destroys the bridge. Two people crossing the bridge will travel at the speed of the slower person. Person #1 takes 1 minute, person #2 takes 2 minutes, person #3 takes 5 minutes, and person #4 takes 10 minutes.

The people, suffering from different injuries, travel across the bridge at different speeds. Therefore, after 2 people cross safely, one has to go back to bring the flashlight back to the other side. Since it's dark, they must use a flashlight to cross. The bridge can only support 2 people at a time. There's a footbridge that spans the canyon. Four people, carrying only one flashlight, run for their lives. A volcano erupts in the dark of the night.

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