A Mother and Her Five Daughters | MindYourLogic River Crossing Puzzle
In this river-crossing puzzle, a mother needs to cross a river with her five daughters. The challenge is complicated by the fact that the daughters, when left alone with others who differ in age by just one year, will fight if their mother is not present. The boat can only carry the mother and two daughters at a time, and only the mother can row the boat.
Rules:
1. Boat Capacity*: The boat can carry three individuals at a time: the mother and two daughters.
2. Fighting Condition*: Daughters with a one-year age difference will fight if left alone without their mother.
3. Goal: Safely transport the mother and all five daughters across the river without any fighting occurring.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Initial Setup:
Left Bank: Mother, Daughters (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Right Bank: Empty
Step 1: Mother takes the two youngest daughters (6 and 7) across the river.
Left Bank: Daughters (8, 9, 10)
Right Bank: Mother, Daughters (6, 7)
Step 2: Mother returns alone to the left bank.
Left Bank: Mother, Daughters (8, 9, 10)
Right Bank: Daughters (6, 7)
Step 3: Mother takes the next two youngest daughters (8 and 9) across the river.
Left Bank: Daughter (10)
Right Bank: Mother, Daughters (6, 7, 8, 9)
Step 4: Mother returns with the youngest daughter (6) to the left bank.
Left Bank: Mother, Daughters (6, 10)
Right Bank: Daughters (7, 8, 9)
Step 5: Mother takes the oldest daughter (10) and the youngest daughter (6) across the river.
Left Bank: Empty
Right Bank: Mother, Daughters (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Step 6: Mother returns alone to the left bank.
Left Bank: Mother
Right Bank: Daughters (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Step 7: Mother takes the remaining daughter (6) across the river.
Left Bank: Empty
Right Bank: Mother, Daughters (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Conclusion:
The mother successfully crossed the river with all her daughters without any fights occurring. By carefully choosing which daughters to take across and when to return, the mother managed to keep peace among the siblings and get everyone across the river safely.