Laser Switch

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

There are 16 [off]switches that can be activated by passing a laser beam

into them.Using 5 mirrors and a laser gun , how can you switch them all [on]

with one shot?

 

 

O O O O

O O O O

O O O O

O O O O

 

 

Please use

 

Edited November 30, 2012 by TimeSpaceLightForce

[Fuzzwood]

Kind of hard to draw but you have to look further than just the playing field, aka the first mirror is angled and positioned in such a way right of the first row (right of 1,4) so that the beam will pass over 2,4; 3,3; 4,2

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

Beam along (1,3 ) hitting switch at (1,4) with ( \ ) 45deg mirror inside

circular field switch will pass thru (2,4) switch.. turning both on.

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

 

 

By lateral thinking, this can be done using only 4 one-way mirrors placed

along 1,4( \ ) 2,4( / ) 3,4( / ) and 4,4( / ) and shooting laser through row 1.

 

Or be done using only 3 mirrors. One located far below between column 1 and 2

and other between column 3 and 4 . Another far above between column 2 and 3 .

Shoot down through left side of the circular switch 1,1( ) to make a W beam path.

 

note: The Puzzle uses just ordinary mirrors and laser must hit the switch center.

 

 

Other solutions . .

[John Cuthber]

I can do that with just 1 mirror (and at this time of year I can find the right sort of mirror quite easily).

Come to think of it, I can do it without any mirrors.

Edited December 2, 2012 by John Cuthber

[michel123456]

the 3 mirrors do not work for point-like objects. Nor do the 4 mirrors solution in the spoiler above.

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

 

 

Hey guys thanks for checking..

 

"the 3 mirrors do not work for point-like objects."

 

Right because the next point can't be hit .That solution is only for

the circular switch that can be activated by just passing beam on or near above it.

 

"Nor do the 4 mirrors solution in the spoiler above"

 

Right unless they are one-way mirrors.

 

Wiki:A one-way mirror, also known as a two-way mirror, additionally known as a three way mirror, one-way glass, or two-way glass is a mirror that is partially reflective and partially transparent. When one side of the mirror is brightly lit and the other is dark, it allows viewing from the darkened side but not vice versa.

 

"I can do that with just 1 mirror (and at this time of year I can find the right sort of mirror quite easily)"

 

Right.. I see , place the laser at certain point to hit the mirror as you hold it then slowly rotate to hit all the switches one by one. No need for special mirror though any will do.

 

"Come to think of it, I can do it without any mirrors."

 

Right! the lesser the mirrors the better. Are you using gravity?

 

Lets solve the original Puzzle..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L-12-24-M-34-42-M-41-32-23-14-M-13-21-M-31-43-M-44-33-22-11

 

Edited December 2, 2012 by TimeSpaceLightForce

[michel123456]

My best shot till now with a problem at mirror 5.

 

 

[John Cuthber]

 

 

Bounce the light off a spherical mirror so it spreads out as a cone and have that hit all the switches

A Christmas tree decoration would do as a spherical mirror.

 

Similarly, any laser beam spreads out anyway so, if you move the laser far enough away the beam will hit all the switches.

 

 

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

Alright ! You got it Right..

 

.. I fail to state that-

the Laser Switch center needs enough energy continuously

(i.e. about the gun's output) thus making:

 

4 one-way mirrors fail due to decreasing energy

3 mirrors fails to hit the centers

1 rotating mirror fails to supply continuous energy

5 mirrors fails for too much energy on some switches

1 spherical mirror fails.. too low energy

0 mirror fails, near zero energy

 

So we can still try solving the original puzzle..

 

Thanks

Rouie

[michel123456]

I cheated

 

http://www.marts100.com/Quiz/dots_s.htm

 

But there is the same problem with my proposal.

[michel123456]

New proposal.

 

 

 

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

New proposal.

 

 

 

 

That is a superb path.. though still has one switch off.

[michel123456]

 

That is a superb path.. though still has one switch off.

 

Oh, Do you want the light ray to pass through each switch only once?

[TimeSpaceLightForce]

Yes, im sorry.. but you can try again or find the solution posted on this thread..

[TimeSpaceLightForce]