# RE8 | meta/muse-spark-1.1 | run 1

## Prompt

Minimize total time to finish these tasks, one at a time, respecting dependencies: A (2h, no deps); B (3h, needs A); C (1h, no deps); D (2h, needs B and C). Give a valid order and the total time.

## Response

All tasks must be done sequentially, so the total time is always the sum of durations regardless of order. The sum is 8 hours, and any order that respects the dependencies achieves it.

## Total Time
2h + 3h + 1h + 2h = **8 hours**

Since you can only do one task at a time, there is no way to reduce this. No idle time is needed if you follow a valid topological order.

## Valid Orders
The constraints are:
- A before B
- B and C before D

Any order satisfying those works. Three valid options:

* A -> C -> B -> D
* A -> B -> C -> D
* C -> A -> B -> D

One optimal schedule, for example A -> C -> B -> D:

1.  **A (2h)** - 0h to 2h - no deps
2.  **C (1h)** - 2h to 3h - no deps
3.  **B (3h)** - 3h to 6h - needs A (done)
4.  **D (2h)** - 6h to 8h - needs B and C (done)

All dependencies are respected and finish time is 8h.

If you were allowed to do tasks in parallel, would you like me to calculate the critical path and minimum makespan for that case?
