Answer to the May 15, 2000 Problem of the Week

Among the oldest problems are those which involve ferrying people and their belongings across a river under somewhat trying conditions.

Alcuin, the friend of Charlemagne, suggested a problem which has been restated and complicated in many ways:

A traveler comes to a riverbank with his possessions: a wolf, a goat, and a head of cabbage.

The only available boat is very small and can carry no more than the traveler and one of his possessions.

Unfortunately, if left together, the goat will eat the cabbage, and the wolf will dine on the goat.

How shall the traveler transport his belongings to the other side of the river, keeping his vegetables and animals intact?

Solution to the Problem:

The traveler could take the goat over and then go back.

He could bring the wolf over and take the goat back with him.

Then he could take the head of cabbage over.

Then he would go back and get the goat and bring him over.

Correctly solved by:

1. Kirstine Wynn	Winchester, VA
2. Micker Madden	Winchester, VA
3. Sam Stiebel	Winchester, VA
4. Si Schiavone	Winchester, VA
5. Ricky Patel	Winchester, VA
6. Clark Nesselrodt	Winchester, VA
7. Tom Dawson	Winchester, VA
8. Richard Mocarski	Winchester, VA
9. Christopher March	Winchester, VA
10. Chris Moats	Winchester, VA
11. Michael Webber	Winchester, VA
12. Tom Marino	Winchester, VA
13. Chip Crawford	Winchester, VA
14. Liz Cotter	Oak Hill, VA
15. Ben Burdick	Winchester, VA
16. Court Pifer	Winchester, VA