The sun sank as Marcus, Vincent, and Leo arrived at the riverbank with Sarah, Emma, and Maya—their respective girlfriends. The group had just completed their biggest theft, and freedom waited on the other side of the fast-moving water. A dangerous river and a single unstable boat stood between them and safety.
Marcus tested the boat’s capacity. “It can hold two people at most. Any more will cause it to sink.”
Vincent’s eyes shone with selfish desire. “Here’s the situation—if any of you girls end up alone with me or Leo while your boyfriend’s gone well… let’s just say our work doesn’t always value loyalty.”
Leo agreed . “The same applies to me. We’re criminals, not good guys.”
The girlfriends looked at each other with concern. Sarah held Marcus’s arm. “So how can we all cross without someone getting… exploited?”
The problem was obvious: no woman could stay alone with a man who wasn’t her partner, on either side. With just one boat that fits two, the crossing would need careful planning.
How would you arrange to transport them across the river?
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The Solution:
- Two women cross (Sarah and Emma)
- One woman returns (Sarah returns. Emma stays)
- Two women cross (Sarah and Maya cross)
- One woman returns (Emma returns. Sarah and Maya stay)
- Two men cross (Marcus and Leo cross)
- One man and one woman return (Marcus and Sarah return. Maya and Leo stay)
- Two men cross (Marcus and Vincent cross)
- One woman returns (Maya returns. Marcus, Vincent and Leo stay)
- Two women cross (Sarah and Emma cross)
- One woman returns (Emma returns. Sarah, Marcus, Vincent and Leo stay)
- Two women cross (Maya and Emma cross- final)