Wolf, Goat, and Cabbage River Crossing

A farmer wants to cross a river and take with him a wolf, a goat, and a cabbage.

There is a boat that can fit himself plus either the wolf, the goat, or the cabbage. If the wolf and the goat are alone on one shore, the wolf will eat the goat. If the goat and the cabbage are alone on the shore, the goat will eat the cabbage.

How can the farmer bring the wolf, the goat, and the cabbage across the river?

Try to solve it using this interactive game below! ⬇️

Left shore
Right shore

How to play

  • Tap a passenger (Wolf, Goat, or Cabbage) on the same shore as the boat to load/unload.
  • The Farmer is always on the boat (he can’t get off).
  • Use ⬅ Sail Left / Sail Right ➡ to move the boat. Capacity: Farmer + one.
  • You can’t sail if that move would leave Wolf with Goat or Goat with Cabbage alone on the departing shore.
  • Win when everyone reaches the right shore.
Show the classic solution
1) Take Goat over → return alone.
2) Take Wolf over → bring Goat back.
3) Take Cabbage over → return alone.
4) Take Goat over → done.
Answer

Yes, the farmer can safely bring all three across by following a specific sequence of trips.

Solution
  • Farmer takes Goat across → Leaves Wolf and Cabbage
    ⏱ Now: Goat on right | Wolf + Cabbage on left
  • Farmer returns alone
    ⏱ Now: All items on left except Goat
  • Farmer takes Wolf across
    ⏱ Now: Wolf on right, Goat alone on left, Cabbage on left
  • Farmer brings Goat back
    ⏱ Now: Farmer + Goat on left | Wolf on right | Cabbage on left
  • Farmer takes Cabbage across
    ⏱ Now: Cabbage + Wolf on right | Goat on left
  • Farmer returns alone
    ⏱ Now: Cabbage + Wolf on right | Farmer + Goat on left
  • Farmer takes Goat across
    ⏱ Now: All three (Wolf, Goat, Cabbage) on the right side
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