The problem states that it takes 10 min to cut one board into two pieces(cutting it in half). This means that it takes 10 min to cut through one board. Now if she were to cut a board into 3 equal pieces she would have to cut the board twice.

Example (< and >), are the ends of the board, (|) is the cut lines. <===|===|===> thus cutting the board twice would take 20 min. 10 min per cut.

It would also take 20 min to cut two boards into 2 pieces each totaling 4 pieces because it would require two cuts

This is because it takes 10 min to cut through the width of the board once regardless of the number of pieces needed.

The only thing that dictates the amount of time spent are the number of cuts through the same width of wood

Your logic is wrong. How about you try educating yourself, then maybe you'll understand it before you make yourself look line an idiot

It would be possible to make 3 pieces from one board in 15 by cutting one of the first halves in half again. This is because the second pass would only be half the width thus taking half the time

The question is poorly worded and could simply be fixed by saying 3 equal pieces instead of just 3.