Embarking on an internship in a secluded mountain laboratory might have seemed adventurous, but pulling a lever marked with a skull was a decision that quickly turned perilous. Now, faced with a horde of mutant zombies, you must escape swiftly. Accompanying you are the janitor, the lab assistant, and the old professor. With the zombies closing in, you have just over 17 minutes to cross a precarious rope bridge and cut the ropes to safety.
The bridge is your only path to safety, but it presents its own challenges. You can cross it in a minute, the lab assistant takes two minutes, the janitor requires five, and the professor, needing to hold onto the ropes, takes ten minutes. The bridge can only support two people at a time, and the darkness limits visibility to the small area illuminated by your lantern. The goal is to get everyone across before the zombies arrive.
Initially, it seems impossible to get everyone across in time. However, the solution lies in minimizing the time spent by the slowest individuals. This requires strategic planning and efficient use of the lantern for return trips.
First, you and the lab assistant cross the bridge together, taking two minutes. You then return with the lantern, adding another minute. With three minutes elapsed, the professor and janitor take the lantern and cross together, which takes ten minutes due to the professor’s slow pace.
Now, with only four minutes remaining, the lab assistant, who has been waiting on the other side, takes the lantern and returns to you. With just two minutes left, both of you make the final crossing. As you reach the far side, you cut the ropes, collapsing the bridge just as the zombies arrive.
In a thrilling race against time, strategic planning and teamwork ensured your escape from the mutant zombies. Perhaps next summer, a quieter internship in the library might be a safer choice.
Calculate the total time taken for each step in the escape plan. Create a timeline showing each crossing and return trip. Ensure you account for the time taken by each person and the lantern’s movement. This will help you understand the importance of strategic planning in time-sensitive situations.
In groups, role-play the escape scenario. Assign roles (you, lab assistant, janitor, professor) and use a rope or a marked area as the bridge. Time each crossing and return trip to see if you can complete the escape within 17 minutes. This activity will help you grasp the concept of teamwork and time management.
Design a new escape plan with different characters and crossing times. Write a short story describing the scenario and the strategy used to escape. Share your story with the class and discuss the different strategies. This will enhance your creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Solve a mathematical puzzle based on the escape scenario. For example, if the crossing times were different (e.g., you take 3 minutes, the lab assistant 4 minutes, the janitor 6 minutes, and the professor 12 minutes), how would you adjust the plan to ensure everyone escapes in time? This will help you apply mathematical concepts to real-life problems.
Discuss the importance of strategic planning and teamwork in overcoming challenges. Reflect on a time when you had to work with others to solve a problem. Write a short essay on what you learned from the escape scenario and how it applies to everyday life. This will encourage critical thinking and self-reflection.
Escape – To get away from a place or situation. – The students had to escape the math maze by solving equations correctly.
Bridge – A structure that allows people to cross over obstacles, often used in problem-solving. – The bridge in the math problem represented the connection between two different concepts.
Time – A measure of the duration of events, often used in calculations. – It took her three minutes to complete the math quiz, which was just the right amount of time.
Strategy – A plan of action designed to achieve a specific goal. – His strategy for solving the complex problem involved breaking it down into smaller parts.
Planning – The process of making decisions about future actions. – Good planning helped the team organize their approach to the science project.
Teamwork – The combined effort of a group to achieve a common goal. – Teamwork was essential for solving the challenging math problems during the competition.
Lantern – A portable light source that can illuminate dark areas. – The lantern symbolized the light of knowledge guiding them through difficult math concepts.
Crossing – The act of going from one side to another, often used in problem-solving scenarios. – The students practiced crossing the bridge of numbers to reach the solution.
Challenge – A difficult task that tests someone’s abilities. – The math challenge was tough, but it helped everyone improve their skills.
Safety – The condition of being protected from harm or danger. – The teacher emphasized the importance of safety while working on group projects.
