The Grey Labyrinth is a collection of puzzles, riddles, mind games, paradoxes and other intellectually challenging diversions. Related topics: puzzle games, logic puzzles, lateral thinking puzzles, philosophy, mind benders, brain teasers, word problems, conundrums, 3d puzzles, spatial reasoning, intelligence tests, mathematical diversions, paradoxes, physics problems, reasoning, math, science.

Ghost Post · Icarian Member

Dave's a chain smoker, so he'll have his own lighter. He takes Christine with him: 10 minutes. Then, Alexis and Burt go together, with the light: 2 minutes. All cross safely in 12 minutes.

firemeboy · Daedalian Member

Very possible. The puzzle doesn't say that there is a breeze so you don't have to worry about the lighter being blown out. However, how long does a light last. If you had a full lighter would the fluid last for 10 minutes? I have never tried it but would think that it wouldn't. Very creative answer though.

Ghost Post · Icarian Member

Rip a rotten timber off the bridge and set it alight. If it burns down halfway across, rip up another. Caution Dave not to step in the holes made by this procedure.

tricia · Guest

Why would you need to worry about times crossing the bridge with a flashlight when there is a FULL MOON out? That would make it pretty bright............just a thought.

Wonko the Sane · Daedalian Member

Please, let's not fight over semantics. It is stated that all useful/pertinant information is stated within the puzzle and that they all have real solutions, except for Let There Be Light and the Newcomb Problem. I think we're meant to assume that the bridge cannot be moved and that the full moon is sort of clouded, you know, like in creepy movies where no matter how big the moon is it's still all dark. Perhaps you might have luck sending the smoker ahead half way and having him set fire to the rope of the bridge. Of course then you have to know how fast fire spreads on the rope and all. So it's pointless. But as you see, it's easier just to do what they said in the solution.

araya · Daedalian Member

well said. All this hemming and hawing drives me crazy.

Wonko, I was reading a document yesterday which I was surprised to find was authored by you. It was called "wet blankets throughout history". Some real gems in there.

Wonko the Sane · Daedalian Member

Wet blankets throughout history eh? I don't think I posted that one, actually. Where was it at? Guess someone got my pw or something. Not that I care. There's life, eh? And thank you for agreeing, maybe you guys get off on trying to devalue a puzzle, but they're meant to be two things, fun and logical. So let's just keep with the theme.