There are 4 women who want to cross a bridge. They all begin on the same side. You have 17 minutes to get all of them across to the other side. It is night. There is one flashlight. A maximum of two people cancross at one time. Any party who crosses, either 1 or 2 people, must havethe flashlight with them. The flashlight must be walked back and forth, it cannot be thrown, etc. Each woman walks at a different speed. A pair must walk together at the rate of the slower mans pace.
woman 1: 1 minute to cross
woman 2: 2 minutes to cross
woman 3: 5 minutes to cross
woman 4: 10 minutes to cross
For example if woman 1 and woman 4 walk across first. 10 Minutes have elapsed when they get to the other side of the bridge. If woman 4 returns with the flashlight. A total of 20 minutes have passed and you have failed the mission. See how quick you can solve this!