Top Puzzle 7: The Fox, Chicken, and Grain Puzzle | Puzzles for Interview - Interview Preparation PDF Download

Introduction

The chicken crossing puzzle is a classic riddle that has stumped many people over the years. The puzzle goes like this: a man has to get a fox, a chicken, and a sack of corn across a river. He has a rowboat, but it can only carry him and one other thing at a time. The challenge is to figure out how the man can get all three items to the other side of the river without any of them being eaten.

Solution

1. The man and the chicken cross the river.
The first step is for the man to take the chicken across the river. This is because if the man were to leave the chicken and the corn on one side of the river, the chicken would eat the corn. However, it's safe to leave the fox and corn on one side of the river together because the fox won't eat the corn.
2. The man leaves the chicken on the other side and goes back across.
After the man and the chicken cross the river, the man leaves the chicken on the other side and goes back across the river alone. This is because if the man were to take the fox across the river next, the fox would eat the chicken. Therefore, the man must leave the chicken on the other side.
3. The man takes the fox across the river.
The next step is for the man to take the fox across the river. Since the man can only carry one item at a time, he must leave the chicken behind. This is because if the man were to leave the fox and chicken together on one side of the river, the fox would eat the chicken.
4. The man brings the chicken back across the river.
Once the man has safely transported the fox to the other side of the river, he must go back and get the chicken. This is because the chicken cannot be left alone with either the fox or the corn, as it would eat the corn or be eaten by the fox.
5. The man takes the corn across and leaves it with the fox.
The next step is for the man to take the sack of corn across the river and leave it with the fox. This is because the fox won't eat the corn, and the man can't leave the corn and the chicken together on one side of the river.
6. The man goes back to get the chicken and crosses the river one last time.
Finally, the man goes back to get the chicken and brings it across the river to the other side. At this point, all three items have been safely transported across the river without any of them being eaten.

Conclusion

The chicken crossing puzzle may seem like an impossible riddle to solve at first, but with careful planning and strategic thinking, it can be done. By following the steps outlined above, you can successfully transport a fox, a chicken, and a sack of corn across a river without any of them being eaten.