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A Family Problem
A man, his wife, and their two sons desire to cross a river. They have a boat that will carry only 100 lbs. The man weighs 100 lbs, the wife weighs 100 lbs, and the sons each weigh 50 lbs. How can they all cross this river in this boat?
Soulé's Philosophic Practical Mathematics, George Soulé, 1905
Click here to reveal the answer
The answer is: both sons cross, one son returns, father crosses, other son returns, both sons cross, one son returns, mother crosses, other son returns, both sons cross
"A Family Problem," Convergence (March 2007)
