Can You Solve the Jail Break Riddle?

Imagine you're a notorious bank robber, famed for your impeccable timing. Now, that skill is your ticket to escaping jail. Your partner is set to signal you, and precisely 45 seconds later, the electric fence will short-circuit, offering a brief window of freedom. But there's a catch: your watch is broken. All you have are two 1-minute fuses. Can you use them to time your escape perfectly?

The Challenge: Timing is Everything

You're in the prison yard, near the electric fence. The plan is set: a signal from your partner, followed by a 45-second wait for the fence to short out. A second or two of downtime is all you need to slip through. The problem? Your watch is useless, and a miscalculation means certain electrocution.

Your Tools:

• A lighter
• Two fuses, each designed to burn for exactly one minute when lit at both ends.

The Twist:

These aren't your average fuses. They burn unevenly. Cutting one in half won't guarantee each piece burns for 30 seconds. One side might burn much faster than the other.

Cracking the Code: How to Time 45 Seconds

Here's how to solve this high-stakes timing puzzle:

1. Light Fuse One at Both Ends: This is the crucial first step. Because it burns from both ends, it will burn out in exactly 30 seconds, regardless of any unevenness.
2. Simultaneously Light Fuse Two at One End: The moment you light fuse one at both ends, light fuse two at only one end.
3. The Critical Moment: When fuse one burns out completely (after 30 seconds), immediately light the other end of fuse two. Since fuse two has already been burning for 30 seconds from one end, it has 30 seconds of burn time remaining.
4. Double the Burn: By lighting fuse two at both ends, you effectively halve its remaining burn time. The remaining 30 seconds will now burn in just 15 seconds.

The Escape

The signal flashes. You ignite three ends of the fuses. When the first fuse is gone, you light the fourth end. 15 seconds later, the second fuse dies, and you make your move. The fence is down, and you're free!

The Solution Explained

The key to this riddle lies in understanding that lighting a fuse at both ends halves its burn time. By strategically lighting both fuses, you create a reliable 45-second timer, turning a desperate situation into a successful escape.

• Fuse One: Lit at both ends, burns for 30 seconds.
• Fuse Two: Lit at one end for 30 seconds, then at both ends for 15 seconds.

This puzzle highlights the power of creative problem-solving under pressure. Sometimes, the most unconventional approach is the key to unlocking freedom.