MHB Bob's 9 Minute Hourglass Challenge

[alexmahone]

Bob owns a couple of hourglasses -- one is a 4 minute hourglass and the other is a 7 minute hourglass. If Bob wants to measure 9 minutes, how could he do it?

 

[CaptainBlack]

Bob owns a couple of hourglasses -- one is a 4 minute hourglass and the other is a 7 minute hourglass. If Bob wants to measure 9 minutes, how could he do it?

Start then together, turn the 4 when it is emply. When the 7 is empty start timing the nine minutes, at this point the four minute glass has 1 minute to go. When empty turn it, 5 minutes have elapsed. Turn it again, and when empty 9 minutes have elapled.

CB

 

[alexmahone]

Start then together, turn the 4 when it is emply.

Now there are 3 minutes remaining in the 7.

When the 7 is empty turn the 4.

When the 7 is empty there is 1 minute remaining in the 4. So why would you want to turn it?

At this point it has 1 minute to go...

 

[CaptainBlack]

Now there are 3 minutes remaining in the 7.
When the 7 is empty there is 1 minute remaining in the 4. So why would you want to turn it?

Typo, now corrected (I hope)

CB

 

[alexmahone]

Start then together, turn the 4 when it is emply. When the 7 is empty start timing the nine minutes, at this point the four minute glass has 1 minute to go. When empty turn it, 5 minutes have elapsed. Turn it again, and when empty 9 minutes have elapled.

CB

Okay, that works but it's a little inefficient as it wastes the first 7 minutes. There's a better solution.

 

[alexmahone]

Hint: There is a solution that wastes no time and measures 9 minutes in one go.

 

[poissonspot]

Start the two together. When the four is empty, flip it (four minutes elapsed). When the seven is empty, flip it (7 minutes). When the four is empty again flip the seven (8 minutes). Wait then the remaining minute for the seven to empty.

 

[oasi]

Hint: There is a solution that wastes no time and measures 9 minutes in one go.

yes +1