You have two odd hourglasses: one that times exactly 4 minutes and one that times exactly 7 minutes. What is the best way to measure exactly 9 minutes using just these two hourglasses?


Solution

There are a couple of possible solutions.

Simpler solution

  1. Start both hourglasses at the same time.
  2. When the 4-min hourglass runs out, immediately flip it over.
  3. When the 7-min hourglass runs out, the 4-min hourglass should now have exactly 1 min of sand left. Immediately flip it over to start measuring the 9 min.
  4. Let the 1 min run out, then flip over and let the 4-min hourglass run out twice more, for a total of 1 + 4 + 4 = 9 min.

This solution works, but it involves wasting 7 minutes first.

Better solution

  1. Start both hourglasses at the same time, and start measuring the 9 min.
  2. When the 4-min hourglass runs out, immediately flip it over.
  3. When the 7-min hourglass runs out, the 4-min hourglass should now have exactly 1 min of sand left. Immediately flip both hourglasses over.
  4. When the remaining 1 min of the 4-min hourglass runs out, the 7-min hourglass should have accumulated exactly 1 min of sand at the bottom. Immediately flip it over to measure the last 1 min.

This solution essentially lets the 7-min hourglass run its course, and then adds two 1-min increments at the end.

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