We’ve all been stuck in traffic at some point—frustrating, right? But here’s an interesting twist: In this gridlock scenario, there’s a single car that, if moved, could clear the whole intersection. Can you figure out which one it is? Let’s break it down.
The Puzzle: Seven Cars, One Problem
Imagine seven cars stuck at an intersection. Traffic is at a standstill, but the solution is simpler than it seems. Which car is the key to breaking the bottleneck?
The Key to Unlocking the Traffic Flow
At first glance, it might look like a tricky situation, but there’s one car causing the entire problem. Here’s the breakdown:
Car #3 is the culprit.
Why? Because it’s blocking traffic in all directions—cars 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are all stuck because of its position. It’s like a cork in a bottle. Until car #3 moves, nothing else can.
The Ripple Effect: How Moving One Car Clears the Way
The magic happens when car #3 moves:
- Cars 1 & 2 can now proceed, clearing their path.
- Cars 4 & 5 will follow suit, as the lanes ahead are freed up.
- Finally, Cars 6 & 7 will also get the green light, allowing the entire system to flow again.
By moving one car, the whole traffic jam dissolves. Simple, right?