Test used by Microsoft for potential employees

macphisto

Hey peeps,

This one might be old news to some of you but does anyone know the answer to this...
I don't know the answer...

Macphisto

" This is the actual test given by Microsoft to prospective employees. I am
deadly serious that this is solvable and without any tricks. No one there was
able to solve it. See how you do.

"U2" has a concert that starts in 17 minutes and they must all cross a bridge
to get there. All four men begin on the same side of the bridge. You must
help them across to the other side. It is night. There is one flashlight. A
maximum of two people can cross at one time.
Any party who crosses, either 1 or 2 people, must have the flashlight with
them. The flashlight must be walked back and forth, it cannot be thrown, etc.
Each band member walks at a different speed. A pair must walk together at the
rate of the slower man's pace.

Bono: 1 minute to cross
Edge: 2 minutes to cross
Adam: 5 minutes to cross
Larry: 10 minutes to cross

For example: If Bono and Larry walk across first, 10 minutes have elapsed
when they get to the other side of the bridge. If Larry then returns with the
flashlight, a total of 20 minutes have passed and you have failed the mission. "

Steveo1983

http://home.att.net/~numericana/answer/recreational.htm#crossing17

wba88

(whistles) TAXI!

I did it.

Spoiler:

Edge and Bono go over 2mins
Edge goes back 2mins
Adam and Larry go over 10mins
Bono goes back 1min
Bono and Edge go over 2mins
Total 17mins

Oh Yeah!

sry dont know how to do proper spoilers

macphisto

Thanks Steveo,

That was starting to annoy me...too many brain cells killed off by beer

WBA... thats close enough for a spoiler

Macphisto

wba88

When do i start???


btw i did it in my head, i didnt cheat

deman

Simple!! Can't believe that MS employees didn't get it.

Did it in my head in less than 90 secs....... about.

fatherdougalmag

Maybe if they did 'City of Blinding Light' they could get Edge over first for his guitar bit at the start.

That might buy the rest of them some time to get over.

Alternatively, they could ask the crowd to come over to them.

monkey tennis

Bono carries Larry over on his back: 1 min
Bono returns: 1 min
Bono carries Adam over on his back: 1 min
Bono returns: 1 min
Bono carries the Edge over on his back: 1 min

Total: 5 mins WINNAR!

RamRod2485

Bono and Edge cross together first takes 2 mins.
Bono comes back in 1 min.
Bono stays back, Adam and Larry cross together and take 10 mins.
Edge who went there first with Bono, comes back in 2 mins.
Edge and Bono cross again in 2 mins!!
Totally 2 + 1 + 10 + 2 + 2 = 17 mins... ;-)

NewDirection

The answer is the can't...
Its about being able to admit that you cant find an answer..