Puzzle of the Day : 33
MasterChef
Task – Make three pancakes in the least amount of time possible.
Conditions: One side of a pancake takes exactly three minutes to cook on a pan. You need to cook both sides. This means that a pancake takes exactly six minutes to cook.
Anything else: Yes. You’ve got two pans and two gas burners. Use them as you please.
Have I got gas? Of course. Assume what you’ve got to assume.
Get started!
Solution: Tackle two pancakes at a time. Once your pans have sizzled for three minutes, you’ve got two pancakes half done. Let’s call the pancakes A and B.
Now, take B off the pan and pour in the batter for the third pancake, C. Simultaneously, flip A. Once your pans have sizzled for another three minutes, you’ve got C half done and A done completely. Take A off, flip C, and throw in B again to cook the other side. Another three minutes, and what do you have – three ready pancakes. Bon appetit!
9 min
9