Brain Teaser

[Moliphino]

I think for purposes of the exercise, it can be assumed that all pipes are the same diameter. They're not asking for the math, just the reasoning.

But what is the flow rate from the faucet? If the flow rate from the faucet is higher than what can flow out through the little pipes, you can easily overflow A first.

 

[BrianL]

But what is the flow rate from the faucet? If the flow rate from the faucet is higher than what can flow out through the little pipes, you can easily overflow A first.

Again, assume that it won't. The puzzle isn't asking for real-world variables like that to be considered.

 

[jimmymc]

Gee, based on the picture, I assumed it was water, and the location of the pipes and size of the buckets are as shown.

How fast is the water flowing out of the faucet, how wide are the buckets and pipes in the dimension we can't see?

If it's a slow drip, the answer is F. If it's a fast enough fill rate and the pipe from A to B is narrow, the answer is A.

 

[sam_gordon]

How fast is the water flowing out of the faucet, how wide are the buckets and pipes in the dimension we can't see?

If it's a slow drip, the answer is F. If it's a fast enough fill rate and the pipe from A to B is narrow, the answer is A.

How fast is the water flowing out of the faucet, how wide are the buckets and pipes in the dimension we can't see?

If it's a slow drip, the answer is F. If it's a fast enough fill rate and the pipe from A to B is narrow, the answer is A.

I understand what you're saying, but I also believe you're overthinking it.

 

[jimmymc]

I understand what you're saying, but I also believe you're overthinking it.

Well it is a brain teaser, not an initial reaction teaser.