Puzzle Detail
River Crossing River Bridge Torch Medium — Set 52
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{
"title": "Medium River Crossing Puzzle #52",
"scenario": "Bridge & Torch",
"narrative": "Four people must cross a rickety bridge at night with one torch. The bridge holds at most 2 people. Each pair crosses at the speed of the slower person. Minimize total crossing time.",
"entities": [
{
"id": "p1",
"name": "Person A (1 min)",
"icon": "🏃"
},
{
"id": "p2",
"name": "Person B (2 min)",
"icon": "🚶"
},
{
"id": "p5",
"name": "Person C (5 min)",
"icon": "🧍"
},
{
"id": "p8",
"name": "Person D (8 min)",
"icon": "🐢"
}
],
"boatCapacity": 2,
"constraints": [
"The bridge holds at most 2 people at once.",
"The torch must be carried across and brought back — you cannot throw it.",
"When two people cross together, they move at the slower person's speed.",
"Crossing speeds: A=1 min, B=2 min, C=5 min, D=8 min."
],
"question": "Describe a valid sequence of crossings that gets everyone to the other side without violating any constraint. What is the minimum number of trips required?",
"solution": [
{
"trip": 1,
"direction": "→",
"carrying": [
"A (1)",
"B (2)"
],
"leftBank": "C,D",
"rightBank": "A,B",
"note": "A and B cross together. Time: 2 min."
},
{
"trip": 2,
"direction": "←",
"carrying": [
"A (1)"
],
"leftBank": "A,C,D",
"rightBank": "B",
"note": "A returns with torch. Time: 1 min."
},
{
"trip": 3,
"direction": "→",
"carrying": [
"C (5)",
"D (8)"
],
"leftBank": "A",
"rightBank": "B,C,D",
"note": "C and D cross. Time: 8 min."
},
{
"trip": 4,
"direction": "←",
"carrying": [
"B (2)"
],
"leftBank": "A,B",
"rightBank": "C,D",
"note": "B returns with torch. Time: 2 min."
},
{
"trip": 5,
"direction": "→",
"carrying": [
"A (1)",
"B (2)"
],
"leftBank": "",
"rightBank": "All",
"note": "A and B cross. Time: 2 min. Total: 15 min."
}
],
"minimumTrips": 5,
"hint": "The first 2 move(s) of the solution are shown below to help you start.",
"partialSolutionHint": [
{
"trip": 1,
"direction": "→",
"carrying": [
"A (1)",
"B (2)"
],
"leftBank": "C,D",
"rightBank": "A,B",
"note": "A and B cross together. Time: 2 min."
},
{
"trip": 2,
"direction": "←",
"carrying": [
"A (1)"
],
"leftBank": "A,C,D",
"rightBank": "B",
"note": "A returns with torch. Time: 1 min."
}
],
"_archetype": null,
"_generatorId": null
}