You have a box of matches and six 64-minute fuses. Each fuse burns exactly 64 minutes but the rate of burning is inconsistent. A half a fuse would not necessarily burn in 32 minutes. The fuses are also not equally inconsistent. Two cut fuses of the same length would not necessarily burn in the same time. Without the use of a clock, scissors, or anything other than the matches and the fuses how can you create a 60-minute fuse?
Solution
At time t=0 light fuse 1 at both ends and fuses 2, 3, and 4 at both ends. Fuse 1 will have 32 minutes remaining, fuses 2-4 will have 64 minutes remaining.
At time t=32 fuse 1 will have burned out. At this moment light fuse 2 at the other end. Fuse 2 will have 16 minutes remaining, fuses 3,4 will have 32 minutes remaining.
At time t=48 fuse 2 will have burned out. At this moment light fuse 3 at the other end. Fuse 3 will have 8 minutes remaining, fuses 4 will have 16 minutes remaining.
At time t=56 fuse 3 will have burned out. At this moment light fuse 4 at the other end and fuse 5 at one end. Fuse 4 will have 4 minutes remaining and fuse 5 will have 64 minutes remaining.
At time t=60 fuse 4 will have burned out. At this moment snuff out fuse 5. Fuse 5 will have 60 minutes remaining when relit.
Skype
Messenger
Viber
Contact form
