Quote Originally Posted by Ogershok View Post
Light one of the ropes at each end so it burns toward the middle. At the same time light only one end of the other rope. Since the first rope is burning twice as fast as it would if only one end was burned it will take 30 minutes. When the 30 minutes are up the half rope remaining will have 30 minutes of burn time left. Now light the other end of the second rope so it is now burning at both ends. This will give another 15 minutes of burning. Total time = 45 minutes.
A winner I think.

Burning one of the one hour ropes does get you 30
min.

Now how to burn the second one hour rope in 15 min?
Since you have had it burning from only one end for 30
min already then doubling it back to burn from both ends (twice
as fast) results in 15 min to finish.

ding ding ding...

Me I would use a watch and use the saved rope to
tie up a package for the give away.