Among the oldest problems are those which involve ferrying people and their belongings across a river under somewhat trying conditions.
Alcuin, the friend of Charlemagne, suggested a problem which has been restated and complicated in many ways:
A traveler comes to a riverbank with his
possessions: a wolf, a goat, and a head of
cabbage.
The only available boat is very small and can
carry no more than the traveler and one
of his possessions.
Unfortunately, if left together, the goat will eat
the cabbage, and the wolf will dine on the goat.
How shall the traveler transport his belongings to the other side of the river, keeping his vegetables and animals intact?
Solution to Problem:
The traveler could take the goat over and then go
back.
He could bring the wolf over and take the goat
back with him.
Then he could take the head of cabbage over.
Then he would go back and get the goat and bring
him over.
Correctly solved by:
| 1. Kirstine Wynn | Winchester, VA |
| 2. Micker Madden | Winchester, VA |
| 3. Sam Stiebel | Winchester, VA |
| 4. Si Schiavone | Winchester, VA |
| 5. Ricky Patel | Winchester, VA |
| 6. Clark Nesselrodt | Winchester, VA |
| 7. Tom Dawson | Winchester, VA |
| 8. Richard Mocarski | Winchester, VA |
| 9. Christopher March | Winchester, VA |
| 10. Chris Moats | Winchester, VA |
| 11. Michael Webber | Winchester, VA |
| 12. Tom Marino | Winchester, VA |
| 13. Chip Crawford | Winchester, VA |
| 14. Liz Cotter | Oak Hill, VA |
| 15. Ben Burdick | Winchester, VA |
| 16. Court Pifer | Winchester, VA |