user29597: I'm often asked "Why is the average mining time about 10 mins?". How do you answer this question if you are asked by beginners?

user35727: Block time is a tradeoff between:

Network propagation time 
Amount of work wasted due to chain splits (miners continuing to work on the last block before becoming aware a new one was found)


29597: <p>I'm often asked "Why is the average mining time about 10 mins?". How do you answer this question if you are asked by beginners?</p>
 35727: <p>Block time is a tradeoff between:</p>

<ul>
<li>Network propagation time </li>
<li>Amount of work wasted due to chain splits (miners continuing to work on the last block before becoming aware a new one was found)</li>
</ul>
