River Crossing Puzzle: Three Cannibals and Three Anthropologists
Three cannibals and three anthropologists have to cross a river. The boat they have is only big enough for two people. If at any point in time there are more cannibals on one side of the river than anthropologists, the cannibals will eat them. The boat can’t cross the river by itself, someone has to be in it to row it across.
What plan can the anthropologists use for crossing the river so they don’t get eaten?
Note that if a boat with a cannibal and an anthropologist travels to a shore with one cannibal on it, then number of cannibals is greater than number of anthropologists, even if you say the anthropologist immediately takes the boat back.
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Three Cannibals and Three Anthropologists Puzzle Answer
So initially there are Three Cannibals and Three Anthropologists all are on west coast of river. They are supposed to cross over river to reach east coast by boat.
Step 1:
1 Cannibal and 1 Anthropologist cross over river and then Anthropologist comes back to west coast.
So now there are 2 Cannibals and 3 Anthropologists left to cross river while 1 Cannibal is on other side of river.
Step 2:
2 Cannibals cross over river and then 1 Cannibal comes back to west coast.
So now there are 1 Cannibals and 3 Anthropologists left to cross river while 2 Cannibals are on other side of river.
Step 3:
2 Anthropologists cross over river and then 1 Cannibal and 1 Anthropologist come back to west coast.
So now there are 2 Cannibals and 2 Anthropologists left to cross river while 1 Cannibal and 1 Anthropologist are on other side of river.
Step 4:
2 Anthropologists cross over river and then 1 Cannibal come back to west coast.
So now there are 3 Cannibals left to cross river while 3 Anthropologists are on other side of river.
Step 5:
2 Cannibals cross over river and then 1 Cannibal comes back to west coast.
So now there are 2 Cannibals left to cross river while 1 Cannibal and 3 Anthropologists are on other side of river.
Step 6:
Remaining 2 Cannibals cross over river. So now all 3 Cannibals and 3 Anthropologists have crossed the river.
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