A man bought a wolf, a goat, and a cabbage from the market. On his way home, he came to a river that he had to cross using a small boat. The boat could carry only the man and one of the three items at a time.
There was one difficulty:
If the wolf and goat were left alone together, the wolf would eat the goat.
If the goat and cabbage were left alone together, the goat would eat the cabbage.
How could the man carry all three safely across the river?
Check if you were right - full answer with solution below.
Solution:
The farmer begins by taking the goat across the river. → He leaves the goat on the opposite side and returns alone, ensuring no conflict occurs.
Next, the farmer takes the wolf across the river. → Since the wolf cannot be left alone with the goat, he leaves the wolf on the far side and brings the goat back with him.
Then, the farmer takes the cabbage across the river. → He safely leaves the cabbage with the wolf (as they do not harm each other) and returns alone.
Finally, the farmer takes the goat across the river once again, completing the transfer.
