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#1 2013-09-10 17:52:05

MathsIsFun
Administrator
Registered: 2005-01-21
Posts: 7,711

Cars Across the Desert Puzzle


"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

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#2 2013-09-10 20:21:09

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: Cars Across the Desert Puzzle

Hi;

A very interesting problem. I could not find a solution with 3 cars. Have you ever seen a proof or any argument why 4 are necessary?


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#3 2013-09-10 22:14:00

MathsIsFun
Administrator
Registered: 2005-01-21
Posts: 7,711

Re: Cars Across the Desert Puzzle

No I haven't.

But I have been thinking how to rescue the empty cars.


"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

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#4 2013-09-10 23:50:01

Nehushtan
Member
Registered: 2013-03-09
Posts: 957

Re: Cars Across the Desert Puzzle


240 books currently added on Goodreads

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#5 2013-10-21 15:13:13

Creeper_Mode
Member
Registered: 2013-10-21
Posts: 2

Re: Cars Across the Desert Puzzle

Nehushtan wrote:

Only one question. It doesn't says that you will be able to tow another car! Even if you can. It will use more patrol that's wouldn't take you to quarter a desert per car!


Creeper_mode - Amateur Math solver
Love Logic Puzzles.

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#6 2013-11-24 10:26:25

Grimbal
Member
Registered: 2013-11-24
Posts: 7

Re: Cars Across the Desert Puzzle

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#7 2014-07-30 08:57:20

MAJ Trey
Member
From: Maryland, USA
Registered: 2014-07-30
Posts: 1

Re: Cars Across the Desert Puzzle

[hide = 4 Cars without salvage]My solution also uses 4 cars, but each car should be able to return to the start point (3 cars) or get to the other side (1 car)
Each car has a different role and travels different distances
Car 1:  Travel 1/6, Transfer 1/6 to either Car 2 or Car 3, Return 1/6
Car 2:  Travel 1/6, Receive 1/6 from Car 1, Travel another 1/6, Transfer 1/6, Return 1/6, Receive 1/6 from Car 1, Return 1/6
Car 3:  Travel 1/6, Receive 1/6 from Car 1, Travel another 1/6, Receive 1/6 from Car 2, Travel 1/6, Transfer 1/6 to Car 4, Return 1/6, Receive 1/6 from Car 2, Travel 1/6, Receive 1/6 from Car 1, Travel 1/6
Car 4 [With VIP]: Travel 1/6, Receive 1/6 from Car 1, Travel another 1/6, Receive 1/6 from Car 2, Travel 1/6, Receive 1/6 to Car 4, Travel 1/2 to destination

The obvious issue is the time waiting for Cars 1 and 2 to constantly return and refill.  But it is feasible.[/hide]

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