journal 26 april 27th 09

there are four people in an adventure race that need to get across a lake.  they have a small canoe.  the rules say that only the slowest person in the canoe can paddle, only one or two can be in the canoe at a time, and they must all cross in the canoe.  from practice they know that: ann can paddle across in 1 minute.  bill can paddle across in 2 minutes.  sue can paddle across in 5 minutes.  mike can paddle across in 10 minutes.  

how do they get everyone across the river in the fastest time without breaking the rules?

take mike sue and ann, drop off mike and sue. (that's 10 min)  ann rows back (1 min)  then picks up bill goes back (2 min) total of 13 min