All about flooble | fun stuff | Get a free chatterbox | Free JavaScript | Avatars    
perplexus dot info

Home > Probability
The Second Level (Posted on 2005-04-26) Difficulty: 1 of 5
You are on the first level of a steel platform, and you must get to the second level immediately.

On your right, there is a ladder that leads to the second level with rotten wood steps. There are 11 steps to the top, and each step fails 8% of the time when stepped on in this weathered condition. If the step breaks, so does your leg that's on it. These steps are too steep to take more than one at a time. You can grab the sides of the ladder with your hands, but cannot pull yourself up without stepping on the ladder's steps.

On your left there is set of stairs that has 15 steps on it which are slightly more weathered. The stairs are at such an incline that you can skip over one of these steps to get to the next. However, the odd numbered steps fail 10.5% of the time, and the even number of steps fail 12% of the time. As you might have guessed, if the steps break, then so does your leg.

What is the best route to take to avoid breaking your leg?

See The Solution Submitted by Michael Cottle    
Rating: 1.6000 (10 votes)

Comments: ( Back to comment list | You must be logged in to post comments.)
No Subject | Comment 8 of 10 |
the ladder for tripping is also an issue on the stairs when taking 2,3 or even 4 stairs at a time
  Posted by Rachael on 2006-05-18 09:56:10
Please log in:
Login:
Password:
Remember me:
Sign up! | Forgot password


Search:
Search body:
Forums (0)
Newest Problems
Random Problem
FAQ | About This Site
Site Statistics
New Comments (3)
Unsolved Problems
Top Rated Problems
This month's top
Most Commented On

Chatterbox:
Copyright © 2002 - 2024 by Animus Pactum Consulting. All rights reserved. Privacy Information