Consider the following: Three men want to cross a river; they find a boat,but it is a very small boat.It will only carry 200 pounds.The men are named Large (200 lbs),Medium (120 lbs),and Small (80 lbs).How can they all get across? They might have to make several trips in the boat (VanLehn,1989).
A)two trips
B)three trips
C)five trips
D)cannot be done (evidence for the importance of searching for contradictions)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The solution involves five trips. First, Small and Medium cross the river (trip 1), then Small returns (trip 2). Large crosses by himself (trip 3), then Medium returns (trip 4). Finally, Small and Medium cross again (trip 5). This strategy ensures the boat's weight limit is never exceeded.

Consider the Following: Three Men Want to Cross a River;