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Puzzle 1 | (How to Measure 45 minutes using two identical wires?)

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How do we measure forty-five minutes using two identical wires, each of which takes an hour to burn? We have matchsticks with us. The wires burn non-uniformly. So, for example, the two halves of wire might burn in 10 minutes and 50 minutes respectively.

Puzzle 1 | (How to Measure 45 minutes using two identical wires?)

Answer: If we light a wire, it takes 60 minutes to burn completely. What if we light the wire from both sides? It will take exactly half the original time, i.e. 30 minutes to burn completely.

1. 0 minutes – Light wire 1 on both sides and wire 2 on one side. 

Puzzle 1 | (How to Measure 45 minutes using two identical wires?)

2. 30 minutes – wire 1 will be burnt out. Light the other end of the wire 2.

Puzzle 1 | (How to Measure 45 minutes using two identical wires?)

45 minutes – wire 2 will be burnt out. Thus 45 minutes is completely measured.


Last Updated : 21 Nov, 2023
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