77 replies to this topic

[thermalguru65]

one of each on each boat trip across

[plortylox]

another thing just to point out

if a CM goes over the first time, and M comes back
then another CM goes over, momentarily there would be 2 Cs and 1 M so would that not be game over too?

[Jimbo4666]

Once again, C=cannibal
M=missionary

M + M go over. M comes back, picks up another M brings it over, then comes back again to pick up C, brings him over. C comes back over and picks up another C, drops him off and comes back again with the last C.

Thor7-10 by picking up 2 "M" you would leave 1 "M" with 3 "C" which fails the question

[Paul S]

this is easy. the question states that the should never be more cannibals than missionary but says nothing about having more missionarys!! it is also
assumed that there is always one in boat.

m = missionary
c = cannibal

one m and one c go across to left
one m comes back

(1 c on left and 2 c and 2 m on right, 1 m in boat)

one m and one c go across to left
one c comes back

(1 c and 1m on left and 2 m and 1 c on right, 1 c in boat)

one c and one m go across
one c comes back

(1 c and 2 m on the left and 1 c and 1 m on right, 1 c in boat)

one c and one m go across
one m comes back

(2 c and 2m on left and 1 c on right, 1 m in boat)

one c and one m go across

all c and m on left
one c and one m go across to left

[monkle]

yeah

[lyndsayn23]

Cannibals and Missionaries - Back to the River Crossing Puzzles
Three missionaries and three cannibals wanted to get on the other side of a river (Edited: all 6 of them have to get across alive). There was a little boat on which only two of them can fit. There can never be on one side more cannibals than missionaries because of a possible tragedy.

Spoiler for Solution

Cannibals and Missionaries - solution
1 cannibal and 1 missionary there, missionary back. 2 cannibals there, 1 cannibal back. 2 missionaries there, 1 missionary and 1 cannibal back. 2 missionaries there, 1 cannibal back. This one cannibal takes the remaining cannibals to the other side.

I think got the idea of the question but is it worded wrong? It starts out with an even number of cannibals and missionaries, so why cant it be that way on the other side. It says that there cant be more cannibals so this is the easy thing I cane up with... what do you think?

CCC 1C and 1M go to side two, the boat returns to side one to grab another C and M, and so on. The numbers are always equal.
MMM

[Slick Nick]

Cannibals and Missionaries - Back to the River Crossing Puzzles
Three missionaries and three cannibals wanted to get on the other side of a river (Edited: all 6 of them have to get across alive). There was a little boat on which only two of them can fit. There can never be on one side more cannibals than missionaries because of a possible tragedy.

Spoiler for Solution

Cannibals and Missionaries - solution
1 cannibal and 1 missionary there, missionary back. 2 cannibals there, 1 cannibal back. 2 missionaries there, 1 missionary and 1 cannibal back. 2 missionaries there, 1 cannibal back. This one cannibal takes the remaining cannibals to the other side.

I'm sorry but the question says there can never be more cannibals than missionaries on one side so if that means that these possible outcomes fit the question...then all you would have to do is take MC every time simple.

MM M
CC C

[arvin]

let cannibals be A and the missinaries be M

so first one A comes with one M than A leaves M and comes back Where A gets down n two of M cross the river where one M stays and the other M goes back and than bring one A with him where the A goes back aned Brings another A with him than drops A and goes and picks the last A and they all cross the river

[the viceroy]

all answers are wrong according to question.

The question says there should not be more cannibals than missionaries at one place at any time. In all answers, at some time, there is a cannibal (1) and no missionaries (0) failing the condition.

To fit the solution, the question should be rephrased as 'There should not be any missionaries present such that they are outnumbered.

Spoiler for look carefully at the OP

sorry the OP says clearly side indicating that in the boat there could be 1 cannibal and 0 missionaries.
otherwise I think it's unsolveable

[the viceroy]

one of each on each boat trip across

Spoiler for and others who mentioned this teqnique, you're forgeting an important factor

which is this:
after the first batch of missionary/cannibal gets to the other side you have to find a way to get the boat back to the first side, remember: there are only 2 seats in boat, so there cannot be a third person manning the boat!!! It's important to read the OP carefully before you answer (me included)