LAKE CROSSING

The Problem Three couples, the Smiths, the Jones and the Browns wanted to go to the Browns yacht that was moored a little way out in the lake. There was a dinghy to take them to the yacht but it only held two people at a time. Whats more, each of the wives was jealous of their husbands and wouldnt let him be with any of the other wives unless she was there. Can they all get successfully to the yacht? Solution In the shorthand solution below, Sm, Sf = Mr & Mrs Smith, respectively, Jm, Jf = Mr & Mrs Jones, respectively, Bm, Bf = Mr & Mrs Brown, respectively.

On the land Sm, Sf, Jm, Jf, Bm, Bf Sm, Sf, Jm, Jf, (Sm, Sf, Jm, Jf, Bf temporarily) Sf, Jf, Bf (Sm, Sf, Jf, Bf temporarily) Sm, Sf (Sm, Sf, Jm, Jf temporarily) Sm, Jm

On the water

On the island

1. Bm, Bf (to yacht) 2. Bf ( to land)

(Bm, Bf temporarily) Bm

3. Sm, Jm (to yacht) 4. Sm (to land) 5. Bf, Jf (to yacht) 6. Jm, Jf ( to land) 7. Sf, Jf (to yacht)

(Sm, Jm, Bm temporarily) Jm, Bm (Jm, Jf, Bm, Bf temporarily) Bm, Bf (Sf, Jf, Bm, Bf temporarily)

(Sm, Jm, Bm temporarily) Jm

8. Bm, (to land) 9. Sm, Bm (to yacht)

Sf, Jf, Bf (Sm, Sf, Jf, Bm, Bf temporarily) Sf, Jf, Bm, Bf

(Sm, Jm temporarily)

10. Sm (to land) 11. Sm, Jm (to yacht)

Sm, Sf, Jm, Jf, Bm, Bf