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Cannibals and
Missionaries
In a far away place there are 3 cannibals and 3
missionaries
that wish to cross a river. They have learned to live together
peacefully without any threat to their lives as long as they abide by
one rule. The cannibals can never outnumber the
missionaries. As long as there are more missionaries than
cannibals or an equal number of each, everyone is safe. If the
cannibals ever outnumber the missionaries, they will eat them!
There is a boat that will hold 2 people that will be used to get all
six across the river. No one swims. The boat cannot travel
unmanned. If there is a missionary on one side by himself and
2 cannibals come to that side, there is no rule that keeps one in the
boat.
He will get out and eat that missionary. How can we get all six
people
safely across the river in the least number of moves?
Water Jugs You are stranded on a desert island. You have an unlimited amount of water but only 2 containers. A 5 gallon jug and a 3 gallon jug. You need exactly 4 gallons and you will be miraculously transported off the island. Both jugs are irregularly shaped and no markings can be made on them. How can you use these 2 containers and your unlimited source of water to obtain exactly 4 gallons of water? |
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© 2002, Marilyn Johnson.