Can the cannibals and regular people safely cross the river?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a classic logic puzzle involving the safe crossing of a river by three cannibals and three regular people, with specific rules regarding their movement and safety. Participants explore various strategies and rules related to the puzzle, including modifications to the original scenario.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines a sequence of moves for crossing the river but does not clarify the implications of cannibals piloting the boat.
  • Another participant notes that cannibals cannot pilot the boat, which adds complexity to the problem.
  • Several participants express confusion about the rules, particularly regarding the safety of the remaining individuals when crossing occurs.
  • A suggestion is made to complicate the puzzle by allowing all regular people to row the boat and only one cannibal to do so, prompting further exploration of the scenario.
  • One participant shares a link to a visual representation of a similar logic game, indicating a desire to assist others in understanding the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various interpretations of the rules and strategies, leading to confusion and disagreement about the feasibility of certain moves. No consensus is reached regarding the correct approach to the puzzle.

Contextual Notes

Some participants indicate misunderstandings of the rules, and there are unresolved questions about the implications of having cannibals alone on one side of the river.

cefarix
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There's a boat to cross a river, and it can carry 2 people at once. There are 3 cannibals and 3, well, regular people on one side of the river. They want to get across. If there are more cannibals on one side than regular people, you lose. The boat cannot travel empty.
Have fun! :biggrin:
 
Physics news on Phys.org

Two canibals cross.
One cannibal takes the boat back.
Two cannibals cross.
One takes the boat back.
Two non-cannibals cross.
A cannibal and a non-cannibal take the boat back.
Two non-cannibals cross.
A cannibal takes the boat back.
Two cannibals cross.
A cannibal takes the boat back
Two cannibals cross.
[/color]
 
sorry, should've mentioned that cannibals cannot pilot the boat
 
Answers

Get another boat.
Swim.

Can there be a canable on a side when no one else is there or do they start to eat them selves?
 
I must misunderstand the rules somehow..

C=Canibal c=Non-canibal

Initially, one C one c must cross. If two or one c cross the remaining will be eaten and zero c isn't an option (no one to use the boat). From there on, the c has to return (if he brought the C that'd be back to square one and nothing else is possible). One c from there would be back to previous state, two c would get the remaining c eaten and one c one C would get the traveling c eaten upon arival at the other side (which would then be two C one c). Unless we're talking some sort of wordplay like the one c staying in the boat with two C on the shore or something to that effect, it's impossible.
 
LarrrSDonald said:
I must misunderstand the rules somehow..

C=Canibal c=Non-canibal

Initially, one C one c must cross. If two or one c cross the remaining will be eaten and zero c isn't an option (no one to use the boat). From there on, the c has to return (if he brought the C that'd be back to square one and nothing else is possible). One c from there would be back to previous state, two c would get the remaining c eaten and one c one C would get the traveling c eaten upon arival at the other side (which would then be two C one c). Unless we're talking some sort of wordplay like the one c staying in the boat with two C on the shore or something to that effect, it's impossible.

Your answer is indeed correct. Congratulations. :approve:
 
hi friends, make the cannibal problem a little complicated. suppose, all the regular men can row the boat. and one out of three canibals can row the boat. the story remains same. now try!

kris
 
ckrishanu said:
hi friends, make the cannibal problem a little complicated. suppose, all the regular men can row the boat. and one out of three canibals can row the boat. the story remains same. now try!


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cMMM |.cC
cCMMM.|c
MMM |.ccC
CMMM.| cc
CM |. ccMM
CcMM.| cM
cM |. cCMM
ccMM.| CM
cc |.CMMM
ccC.| MMM
c |. cCMMM
cC.| cMMM
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Here is a brain teaser: What do i need to do to start my onw threads? I can't work it out. PLEASE help.
 
  • #10
Tzar said:
Here is a brain teaser: What do i need to do to start my onw threads? I can't work it out. PLEASE help.

click on the green "new thread" button
 
  • #11
Cheers, I'm such an idiot for not seeing it...
 
  • #12
maybe i can help them solve thru visuals via this link: http://www.plastelina.net/games/game1.html

the logic game is called Cannibals and Missionaries :)
 

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