MISSIONARIES AND CANNIBALS

Three missionaries and three cannibals wish to cross a wide, rushing, piranha-infested river using a single boat that will hold only two people. All missionaries and cannibals are able to navigate the boat.

If at any time the cannibals outnumber the missionaries, those missionaries will be eaten. Find the smallest number of crossings so that the crossing can be safely made.

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©2002 Scott Carlson and Golden Hills School Division #75 and Galileo Educational Network Association