Problem 18

Explanation

Let's order the cooking times from the fastest (least time) to the slowest (most time).

1. "Beef takes longer to cook than lamb."

   • Meaning: $\text{Time(Beef)} > \text{Time(Lamb)}$.
   • Current order: $\text{Lamb} < \text{Beef}$.

2. "...but not longer than duck" (referring to Beef).

   • Meaning: $\text{Time(Beef)} < \text{Time(Duck)}$.
   • Current order: $\text{Lamb} < \text{Beef} < \text{Duck}$.

3. "Rabbit cooks faster than chicken."

   • Meaning: $\text{Time(Rabbit)} < \text{Time(Chicken)}$.
   • Current order: $\text{Rabbit} < \text{Chicken}$.

4. "...but takes longer than duck" (referring to Rabbit).

   • Meaning: $\text{Time(Rabbit)} > \text{Time(Duck)}$.
   • Current order: $\text{Duck} < \text{Rabbit} < \text{Chicken}$.

If we combine all the information, the order of cooking time from fastest to slowest is:

Therefore, the meat that cooks the fastest is lamb.