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Missionaries and Cannibals Problem – HanClinto

HanClinto

Administrator

Posts: 1828
From: Indiana
Registered: 10-11-2004
Hey all!

No, this isn't about missions-work, this is about a logic puzzle.

I was reading on Coding Horror this morning about classic algorithm puzzles, and came across a nice interactive Flash animation of the Cannibals and Missionaries problem.

quote:
Missionaries & Cannibals Problem: Help the 3 cannibals and 3 missionaries to move to the other side of the lake. Note that: when there are more cannibals on one side than missionaries, the cannibals eat them. How to play: Click on a cannibal to put him on the boat and also click on the missionary to put him on the boat. In order to move them to the other side of the lake, click the GO button at the top of the screen.

Just thought others might like to think about it and try to work it out as a fun brain exercise.

Cheers!

--clint

Jari

Member

Posts: 1471
From: Helsinki, Finland
Registered: 03-11-2005
Thanks Clint!
That was discusting! - to see cannibals eat missionary, maybe it was because I just ate...

Nice puzzle, I couldn't figure it out yet... Got only two cannibals on the left bank.

Edit:
they dont really look like humans in order to be cannibals...

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Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

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[This message has been edited by jari (edited September 14, 2007).]

[This message has been edited by jari (edited September 14, 2007).]

Matt Langley
Member

Posts: 247
From: Eugene, OR, USA
Registered: 08-31-2006
Finally completed it, fun little game.

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Matthew Langley
Lead Documentation Engineer
GarageGames

HanClinto

Administrator

Posts: 1828
From: Indiana
Registered: 10-11-2004
When I originally posted the thread, I hadn't yet beaten it. After Matt posting that he figured it out, that spurred me on with new determination, and I was able to get it.

I think this shows one of the ways that games can enhance puzzles and make them more mentally engaging and easy to manipulate. It's still good to be able to work such things out on paper, but having it interactive like this is nice as well.

--clint

Cohort X

Member

Posts: 126
From: The Great Pacific Northwest
Registered: 09-16-2006
Fun game, old puzzle. I beat it in the five minutes before I had to leave for work.

It's a nice lesson on looking at the ultimate goal rather than the immediate effect of an action. Because...


*SPOILER*

it is counter intuitive. If you want to send the missionaries across the river you first have to send over two cannibals and no missionaries. Things start out looking good for the cannibals but after a couple trades they find themselves back where they started with the missionaries getting what they wanted without giving up anything.

ArchAngel

Member

Posts: 3450
From: SV, CA, USA
Registered: 01-29-2002
got it. fun little puzzle.

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