Puzzle #67: Lab Rat on the Run

Very nice probability puzzle…though involves basic knowledge of probability and algebra. Found this again on http://www.midcipher.com.

Consider a lab rat in a maze. There are four paths that can be taken with equal probability. Path A leads to exit in 5 minutes. Path B leads back to start and takes 8 minutes. Path C leads to exit in 3 minutes and last path D is 2 minutes long and leads back to start. What is the expected escape time of this poor rat from the maze?

As always, please send your answers directly to me at alokgoyal_2001@yahoo.com. If you like the puzzle, please share it with others. If you have interesting puzzles to share, please send them to me at my e-mail given above.

Happy escaping!

 

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