Crossing A Dark Bridge

Photo by Nikita Kulikov on Pexels.com

I like this puzzle.

4 people need to cross a rickety bridge after dark. In order to cross it, they must have a torch with them. They all move at different speeds: the first could cross the bridge in 1 minute; the second in 2 minutes; the third in 5 minutes; and the fourth in 10 minutes. Sadly, two things stand in their way to safe passage: the first is that the bridge can only hold two people at once – it’s that rickety. The second is that the torch they posses only has enough battery life for 17 minutes.

Can you suggest a strategy to get all 4 people across the bridge safely in under 17 minutes.

NB. this is not a “trick” question. Lighting matches for additional light, piggy backing, all those things – not allowed!


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