POW Answer – Quick Escape

Click here to see the original POW. The following is how you could get everyone across in 17 minutes:

1. Person A (1 minute) and person B (2 minutes) go across to the target side with the flashlight in 2 minutes.
2. Person B (2 minute) comes back across the bridge with the flashlight in one minute, bringing the total time to 4 minutes.
3. Person C (5 minute) and person D (10 minutes) go across to the target side with the flashlight in 10 minutes, bringing the total time to 14 minutes.
4. Person A (1 minute) comes back across the bridge with the flashlight in one minute, bringing the the total time to 15 minutes.
5. Person A (1 minute) and person B (2 minutes) go across to the target side with the flashlight in 2 minutes, bringing the final time to 17 minutes.

History

This is a famous math problem commonly known as the Bridge and Torch Problem. You can learn about this problem here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_and_torch_problem.