General Question

free's avatar

Can't solve this problem, a variation on the lamb, lion and man crossing the river?

Asked by free (125points) April 3rd, 2009

http://www.robmathiowetz.com/
just can’t figure it out, are the Japanese that much smarter or has my dissolute life caught up with me?

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13 Answers

crisw's avatar

My husband and I solved it pretty easily.

Hint- think outside the box regarding people going back and forth on the boat.

Les's avatar

Yeah, I’m thinking outside the box. But its still not working. Why did you have to send this link?

TheLoneMonk's avatar

I got it done. Hint> The policeman and the prisoner go over last…at least in my solution.

free's avatar

love to spread the misery
crisw, been looking at this, off and on for a few days, come on, I’m begging ya, a little more of a hint please?! I always end up in the same predicament

TheLoneMonk's avatar

Even though the cop goes over last it isn’t the first time he goes over.

free's avatar

proof or it didn’t happen…TheLoneMonk, the criminal has to be first too…but I always get stuck with a left over kid….arrrghhhh…..

Les's avatar

Totally got it.
@free. It’s up to you how many hints you want, but you’re right. First are prisoner and guard, last are prisoner and guard. But there is one twist at the very end. I think you and I were stuck at the same point. What is the situation that you are stuck at (i.e. who’s on what side?)

crisw's avatar

@free
I’m at work and can’t load the puzzle here- I don’t remember all of the steps off the top of my head, alas. I can provide it step-by-step when I get home if no one else does it before then.

Les's avatar

BIG HINT
@free: When you have one left over kid, there’s no reason you can’t send the guard and prisoner back.

free's avatar

CRUD!!! sooo close, in my best get smart voice now I can get some sleep….

Les's avatar

@free: Did you get it?

free's avatar

Thanks to Les. guess it was a brain freeze. I’ll forget about that job….I’m afraid to try the others!:)

andrew's avatar

Phew! Got it.

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