easy Set 83 Logic Puzzle

Easy River Crossing Puzzle #83

Show solution

[{"trip":1,"direction":"\u2192","carrying":["Cat"],"leftBank":"Dog,Mouse","rightBank":"Cat","note":"Take the cat first."},{"trip":2,"direction":"\u2190","carrying":[],"leftBank":"Dog,Mouse,Farmer","rightBank":"Cat","note":"Return empty."},{"trip":3,"direction":"\u2192","carrying":["Dog"],"leftBank":"Mouse","rightBank":"Cat,Dog","note":"Take the dog."},{"trip":4,"direction":"\u2190","carrying":["Cat"],"leftBank":"Mouse,Cat","rightBank":"Dog","note":"Bring cat back."},{"trip":5,"direction":"\u2192","carrying":["Mouse"],"leftBank":"Cat","rightBank":"Dog,Mouse","note":"Take the mouse."},{"trip":6,"direction":"\u2190","carrying":[],"leftBank":"Cat,Farmer","rightBank":"Dog,Mouse","note":"Return empty."},{"trip":7,"direction":"\u2192","carrying":["Cat"],"leftBank":"","rightBank":"All","note":"Take the cat. Done!"}]

Title
Easy River Crossing Puzzle #83
Scenario
Farmer's Problem
Narrative
A farmer must transport a dog, a cat, and a mouse across a river. The boat holds only the farmer plus one animal.
Entities
  • {"id":"farmer","name":"Farmer","icon":"\ud83d\udc68\u200d\ud83c\udf3e"}
  • {"id":"dog","name":"Dog","icon":"\ud83d\udc15"}
  • {"id":"cat","name":"Cat","icon":"\ud83d\udc08"}
  • {"id":"mouse","name":"Mouse","icon":"\ud83d\udc2d"}
BoatCapacity
1
Constraints
  • Dog and cat cannot be left alone (the dog will chase the cat).
  • Cat and mouse cannot be left alone (the cat will eat the mouse).
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":"\u2192","carrying":["Cat"],"leftBank":"Dog,Mouse","rightBank":"Cat","note":"Take the cat first."}
  • {"trip":2,"direction":"\u2190","carrying":[],"leftBank":"Dog,Mouse,Farmer","rightBank":"Cat","note":"Return empty."}
  • {"trip":3,"direction":"\u2192","carrying":["Dog"],"leftBank":"Mouse","rightBank":"Cat,Dog","note":"Take the dog."}
  • {"trip":4,"direction":"\u2190","carrying":["Cat"],"leftBank":"Mouse,Cat","rightBank":"Dog","note":"Bring cat back."}
  • {"trip":5,"direction":"\u2192","carrying":["Mouse"],"leftBank":"Cat","rightBank":"Dog,Mouse","note":"Take the mouse."}
  • {"trip":6,"direction":"\u2190","carrying":[],"leftBank":"Cat,Farmer","rightBank":"Dog,Mouse","note":"Return empty."}
  • {"trip":7,"direction":"\u2192","carrying":["Cat"],"leftBank":"","rightBank":"All","note":"Take the cat. Done!"}
MinimumTrips
7
Hint
The first 3 move(s) of the solution are shown below to help you start.
PartialSolutionHint
  • {"trip":1,"direction":"\u2192","carrying":["Cat"],"leftBank":"Dog,Mouse","rightBank":"Cat","note":"Take the cat first."}
  • {"trip":2,"direction":"\u2190","carrying":[],"leftBank":"Dog,Mouse,Farmer","rightBank":"Cat","note":"Return empty."}
  • {"trip":3,"direction":"\u2192","carrying":["Dog"],"leftBank":"Mouse","rightBank":"Cat,Dog","note":"Take the dog."}