Revisions to Halve time with two timers

replaced http://puzzling.stackexchange.com/ with https://puzzling.stackexchange.com/

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edited Apr 13, 2017 at 12:50

1

Two motorized 24-hour [light timers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_switch) are [daisy chained](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisy_chain_%28electrical_engineering%29) between a power outlet and a light bulb.

For these timers, devise schedules and choose initial times that produce the following repeated lighting pattern, with the largest possible whole number $n$, beginning when the outlet's power is switched on.

Light is on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
$~\,\vdots$

If you are unfamiliar with these timers

Each timer repeatedly cycles through its schedule of 24 intervals that last an hour each.
•$~$ A circular dial determines the current point in the schedule
•$~$ A motor rotates the dial to advance through its schedule whenever power is supplied to the timer
•$~$ You may initially set the dial to any minute of any interval
•$~$ You preset each interval to ON or OFF
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to ON, the timer acts as a direct connection for power to flow to whatever is plugged into the timer
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to OFF, the timer does not provide a power connection
•$~$ The resulting ON and OFF durations could be fractions of an hour if the timer is set to begin within an interval or if incoming power is interrupted during an interval

The first timer is plugged into the outlet.
•$~$ It runs nonstop once the outlet is switched on
•$~$ It supplies power— but only when its dial is in an ON interval — to the second timer

The second timer has the light bulb plugged into it.
•$~$ It advances through its schedule only when the first timer supplies power
•$~$ It lights the bulb, but only while powered by the first timer and when its dial is in an ON interval

^{(These puzzles are either directly from
or related to actual botany experiments)}

Two motorized 24-hour [light timers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_switch) are [daisy chained](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisy_chain_%28electrical_engineering%29) between a power outlet and a light bulb.

For these timers, devise schedules and choose initial times that produce the following repeated lighting pattern, with the largest possible whole number $n$, beginning when the outlet's power is switched on.

Light is on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
$~\,\vdots$

If you are unfamiliar with these timers

Each timer repeatedly cycles through its schedule of 24 intervals that last an hour each.
•$~$ A circular dial determines the current point in the schedule
•$~$ A motor rotates the dial to advance through its schedule whenever power is supplied to the timer
•$~$ You may initially set the dial to any minute of any interval
•$~$ You preset each interval to ON or OFF
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to ON, the timer acts as a direct connection for power to flow to whatever is plugged into the timer
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to OFF, the timer does not provide a power connection
•$~$ The resulting ON and OFF durations could be fractions of an hour if the timer is set to begin within an interval or if incoming power is interrupted during an interval

The first timer is plugged into the outlet.
•$~$ It runs nonstop once the outlet is switched on
•$~$ It supplies power— but only when its dial is in an ON interval — to the second timer

The second timer has the light bulb plugged into it.
•$~$ It advances through its schedule only when the first timer supplies power
•$~$ It lights the bulb, but only while powered by the first timer and when its dial is in an ON interval

^{(These puzzles are either directly from
or related to actual botany experiments)}

Two motorized 24-hour [light timers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_switch) are [daisy chained](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisy_chain_%28electrical_engineering%29) between a power outlet and a light bulb.

For these timers, devise schedules and choose initial times that produce the following repeated lighting pattern, with the largest possible whole number $n$, beginning when the outlet's power is switched on.

Light is on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
$~\,\vdots$

If you are unfamiliar with these timers

Each timer repeatedly cycles through its schedule of 24 intervals that last an hour each.
•$~$ A circular dial determines the current point in the schedule
•$~$ A motor rotates the dial to advance through its schedule whenever power is supplied to the timer
•$~$ You may initially set the dial to any minute of any interval
•$~$ You preset each interval to ON or OFF
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to ON, the timer acts as a direct connection for power to flow to whatever is plugged into the timer
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to OFF, the timer does not provide a power connection
•$~$ The resulting ON and OFF durations could be fractions of an hour if the timer is set to begin within an interval or if incoming power is interrupted during an interval

The first timer is plugged into the outlet.
•$~$ It runs nonstop once the outlet is switched on
•$~$ It supplies power— but only when its dial is in an ON interval — to the second timer

The second timer has the light bulb plugged into it.
•$~$ It advances through its schedule only when the first timer supplies power
•$~$ It lights the bulb, but only while powered by the first timer and when its dial is in an ON interval

^{(These puzzles are either directly from
or related to actual botany experiments)}

add [real] tag

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edited Jun 14, 2016 at 4:55

humn

22k
4
60
161

Two motorized 24-hour [light timers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_switch) are [daisy chained](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisy_chain_%28electrical_engineering%29) between a power outlet and a light bulb.

For these timers, devise schedules and choose initial times that produce the following repeated lighting pattern, with the largest possible whole number $n$, beginning when the outlet's power is switched on.

Light is on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
$~\,\vdots$

If you are unfamiliar with these timers

Each timer repeatedly cycles through its schedule of 24 intervals that last an hour each.
•$~$ A circular dial determines the current point in the schedule
•$~$ A motor rotates the dial to advance through its schedule whenever power is supplied to the timer
•$~$ You may initially set the dial to any minute of any interval
•$~$ You preset each interval to ON or OFF
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to ON, the timer acts as a direct connection for power to flow to whatever is plugged into the timer
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to OFF, the timer does not provide a power connection
•$~$ The resulting ON and OFF durations could be fractions of an hour if the timer is set to begin within an interval or if incoming power is interrupted during an interval

The first timer is plugged into the outlet.
•$~$ It runs nonstop once the outlet is switched on
•$~$ It supplies power— but only when its dial is in an ON interval — to the second timer

The second timer has the light bulb plugged into it.
•$~$ It advances through its schedule only when the first timer supplies power
•$~$ It lights the bulb, but only while powered by the first timer and when its dial is in an ON interval

^{(These puzzles are either directly from
or related to actual botany experiments)}

Two motorized 24-hour [light timers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_switch) are [daisy chained](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisy_chain_%28electrical_engineering%29) between a power outlet and a light bulb.

For these timers, devise schedules and choose initial times that produce the following repeated lighting pattern, with the largest possible whole number $n$, beginning when the outlet's power is switched on.

Light is on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
$~\,\vdots$

If you are unfamiliar with these timers

Each timer repeatedly cycles through its schedule of 24 intervals that last an hour each.
•$~$ A circular dial determines the current point in the schedule
•$~$ A motor rotates the dial to advance through its schedule whenever power is supplied to the timer
•$~$ You may initially set the dial to any minute of any interval
•$~$ You preset each interval to ON or OFF
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to ON, the timer acts as a direct connection for power to flow to whatever is plugged into the timer
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to OFF, the timer does not provide a power connection
•$~$ The resulting ON and OFF durations could be fractions of an hour if the timer is set to begin within an interval or if incoming power is interrupted during an interval

The first timer is plugged into the outlet.
•$~$ It runs nonstop once the outlet is switched on
•$~$ It supplies power— but only when its dial is in an ON interval — to the second timer

The second timer has the light bulb plugged into it.
•$~$ It advances through its schedule only when the first timer supplies power
•$~$ It lights the bulb, but only while powered by the first timer and when its dial is in an ON interval

Two motorized 24-hour [light timers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_switch) are [daisy chained](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisy_chain_%28electrical_engineering%29) between a power outlet and a light bulb.

For these timers, devise schedules and choose initial times that produce the following repeated lighting pattern, with the largest possible whole number $n$, beginning when the outlet's power is switched on.

Light is on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
$~\,\vdots$

If you are unfamiliar with these timers

Each timer repeatedly cycles through its schedule of 24 intervals that last an hour each.
•$~$ A circular dial determines the current point in the schedule
•$~$ A motor rotates the dial to advance through its schedule whenever power is supplied to the timer
•$~$ You may initially set the dial to any minute of any interval
•$~$ You preset each interval to ON or OFF
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to ON, the timer acts as a direct connection for power to flow to whatever is plugged into the timer
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to OFF, the timer does not provide a power connection
•$~$ The resulting ON and OFF durations could be fractions of an hour if the timer is set to begin within an interval or if incoming power is interrupted during an interval

The first timer is plugged into the outlet.
•$~$ It runs nonstop once the outlet is switched on
•$~$ It supplies power— but only when its dial is in an ON interval — to the second timer

The second timer has the light bulb plugged into it.
•$~$ It advances through its schedule only when the first timer supplies power
•$~$ It lights the bulb, but only while powered by the first timer and when its dial is in an ON interval

^{(These puzzles are either directly from
or related to actual botany experiments)}

add link to related puzzle, clarify some wording

Source Link

edited Jun 4, 2016 at 11:48

humn

22k
4
60
161

Two motorized 24-hour [light timers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_switch) are [daisy chained](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisy_chain_%28electrical_engineering%29) between a power outlet and a light bulb. For these timers, devise schedules and choose initial times that produce the following lighting pattern with the largest possible whole number $n$, beginning when the outlet's power is switched on:

For these timers, devise schedules and choose initial times that produce the following repeated lighting pattern, with the largest possible whole number $n$, beginning when the outlet's power is switched on.

$~~~$ On Light is on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
$~~~~$ on on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
$~~~~$ on on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
$~~~~~~\vdots$ $~\,\vdots$

**If you are unfamiliar with these timers**

If you are unfamiliar with these timers

Each timer repeatedly cycles through its schedule of 24 intervals that last an hour apieceeach.
•$~$ A circular dial determines the current point in the schedule
•$~$ A motor rotates the dial to advance through its schedule whenever power is supplied to the timer
•$~$ You may initially set the dial to any minute of any interval
•$~$ You may preset each interval to ON or OFF
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to ON, the timer becomesacts as a direct connection for power to flow to whatever is plugged into the timer
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to OFF, the timer does not provide a power connection between what is plugged into it and what it plugs into
•$~$ The resulting ON and OFF durations cancould be fractions of an hour if the timer is set to begin within an interval or if incoming power is interrupted during an interval

The first timer is plugged into the outlet.
•$~$ It runs nonstop afteronce the outlet is switched on
•$~$ It supplies power—butpower— but only when its dial is in an ON interval—tointerval — to the second timer

The second timer has the light bulb plugged into it.
•$~$ It advances through its schedule only when the first timer supplies power
•$~$ It lights the bulb, but only while powered by the first timer and when its dial is in an ON interval

Two motorized 24-hour [light timers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_switch) are [daisy chained](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisy_chain_%28electrical_engineering%29) between a power outlet and a light bulb. For these timers, devise schedules and choose initial times that produce the following lighting pattern with the largest possible whole number $n$, beginning when the outlet's power is switched on:

$~~~$ On for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
$~~~~$ on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
$~~~~$ on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
$~~~~~~\vdots$

**If you are unfamiliar with these timers**

Each timer repeatedly cycles through its schedule of 24 intervals that last an hour apiece.
•$~$ A circular dial determines the current point in the schedule
•$~$ A motor rotates the dial to advance through its schedule whenever power is supplied to the timer
•$~$ You may initially set the dial to any minute of any interval
•$~$ You may preset each interval to ON or OFF
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to ON, the timer becomes a direct connection for power to flow to whatever is plugged into the timer
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to OFF, the timer does not provide a connection between what is plugged into it and what it plugs into
•$~$ The resulting ON and OFF durations can be fractions of an hour if the timer is set to begin within an interval or if incoming power is interrupted during an interval

The first timer is plugged into the outlet.
•$~$ It runs nonstop after the outlet is switched on
•$~$ It supplies power—but only when its dial is in an ON interval—to the second timer

The second timer has the light bulb plugged into it.
•$~$ It advances through its schedule only when the first timer supplies power
•$~$ It lights the bulb, but only while powered by the first timer and when its dial is in an ON interval

Two motorized 24-hour [light timers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_switch) are [daisy chained](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisy_chain_%28electrical_engineering%29) between a power outlet and a light bulb.

For these timers, devise schedules and choose initial times that produce the following repeated lighting pattern, with the largest possible whole number $n$, beginning when the outlet's power is switched on.

Light is on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
on for 1/2 hour,$~$ off for $n$ hours,
$~\,\vdots$

If you are unfamiliar with these timers

Each timer repeatedly cycles through its schedule of 24 intervals that last an hour each.
•$~$ A circular dial determines the current point in the schedule
•$~$ A motor rotates the dial to advance through its schedule whenever power is supplied to the timer
•$~$ You may initially set the dial to any minute of any interval
•$~$ You preset each interval to ON or OFF
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to ON, the timer acts as a direct connection for power to flow to whatever is plugged into the timer
•$~$ When the dial is in an interval that was set to OFF, the timer does not provide a power connection
•$~$ The resulting ON and OFF durations could be fractions of an hour if the timer is set to begin within an interval or if incoming power is interrupted during an interval

The first timer is plugged into the outlet.
•$~$ It runs nonstop once the outlet is switched on
•$~$ It supplies power— but only when its dial is in an ON interval — to the second timer

The second timer has the light bulb plugged into it.
•$~$ It advances through its schedule only when the first timer supplies power
•$~$ It lights the bulb, but only while powered by the first timer and when its dial is in an ON interval

added a related puzzle, made the internal switch depiction more authentic

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edited Jan 27, 2016 at 3:16

humn

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Rollback to Revision 5

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edited Jan 26, 2016 at 1:26

humn

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changed n to capital N in order to emphasize that it is constant

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edited Jan 26, 2016 at 1:15

humn

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added [optimization] tag

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edited Jan 25, 2016 at 1:43

humn

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clarified that the resulting durations can be fractions of an hour

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edited Jan 21, 2016 at 21:03

humn

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deleted 2 characters in body

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edited Jan 21, 2016 at 14:59

humn

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add link to related puzzle

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edited Jan 21, 2016 at 14:29

humn

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asked Jan 21, 2016 at 11:19

humn

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