How long does it take to get across the bridge?

Question

elizabeth, brian, dean and leslie want to cross a bridge. they all begin on the same side and only have 17 minutes ot get everyone across to the other side.to complicate matters, it is night and there is only one flashlight. a maximum of two people can cross at one time. any party that crosses, either one or two people, must have the flashlight with them. the flashlight must be walked back and forth; it cannot be thrown. each student walks at a different speed. a pair must walk together at the rate of the slower student's pace. elizabeth takes 1 minute to cross; brian takes 2 minutes; dean takes 5 minutes; leslie takes 10 minutes to cross the bridge. explain, in detail, how everyone can get across in 17 minutes.

Answer 1

SPOILER ALERT!!

 

Hi Catherine--

 

1 and 2 walk over = 2 mins

1 walks back = 1 min

5 and 10 walk over = 10 mins

2 walks back = 2 mins

1 and 2 walk over = 2 mins

 

total = 17 minutes

 

:-)