Logical Puzzles
Expert
5 min
A farmer must cross a river with a wolf, a goat and a basket of grain. The boat can carry the farmer and only one of the three at a time. The wolf cannot be left alone with the goat, and the goat cannot be left alone with the grain. How can the farmer transport all three safely?
Hint
The goat must make two crossings.
Answer
Take the goat across, return alone, take the wolf across, bring the goat back, take the grain across, return alone, then take the goat across.
Explanation
The goat is the item that cannot safely be left with either of the other two.
Step-by-Step Solution
1. Take goat across.
2. Return alone.
3. Take wolf across.
4. Bring goat back.
5. Take grain across.
6. Return alone.
7. Take goat across.
2. Return alone.
3. Take wolf across.
4. Bring goat back.
5. Take grain across.
6. Return alone.
7. Take goat across.