Paradox, The last one is simply lying!! How is he sure that there are not any ants behind him?hehe Republican, burn the short rope from both end, that is 30 min. Right after that, burn the long rope somewhere in the middle and two ends, it will divide the rope in two section and now we have four points that are burning. Finishing of the longest burning section of rope will mark 15 min. Is it how? If not then, are those ropes bilaterally symetrical?