Isabelle Wong January 23, 2013

Math Exploration 700

Crossing the River

One day there were 2 children and 4 adults who wanted to cross the river
but there were electric eels. There is only one tiny boat and it can only hold 2
children, 1 adult or 1 child. They wanted to find the fastest way to get across the
river. I am trying to figure out the quickest number of trips it would take.
So first I noticed in order to get across faster, you would have to left the 2
children go first. If 1 adult starts then he/she has to go back again because he/she
has to give the boat to someone else. And that is also a waste of 2 trips. First, you
would have 2 children go. Then 1 child brings the boat back. The child gives the
boat to 1 adult to cross. Then the adult gives the boat to the child and 1 child
crosses. And it took 4 trips. Now there are 2 children on the same side and it
repeats the pattern again with 2 children starting. This pattern continues until the
last trip is with the 2 children going. In total it would take 17 trips because they
have to get 4 adults across so they do 4x4+1 to get 17. I think the rule is number
of adults times 4 and add 1 but I think this only works when there are 2 children
(4a+1). So for 2 children and 4 adults to get across they need 17 trips.



Now there are 2 children on the same side so the pattern
start again when 2 children go to B, 1 child goes back to
A, 1 adult goes to B, and then the child goes to A (now 2
children are at A).

B A
2c
4a + 2c
2c (4a)
(1c) 1c 4a + 1c
1c 1a(4a +1c)
(1a) 1c 3a + 2c