[ QUOTE ]
I like the following riddle. It took me a while.
There are 8 people who need to cross a river. They have a boat, but it only holds two at a time. The people are:
Father
Mother
2 Sons
2 Daughters
Policeman
Thief
Due to the disfunctionality of the family, and the fact that the thief is a bad, bad man; the following three rules most be observed at all times.
1. The thief cannot be with any members of the family unless the policeman is present.
2. The mother cannot be with either of the sons unless the father is present.
3. The father cannot be with either of the daughters unless the mother is present.
Finally, since the current is strong (and the thief isn't to be trusted) only the father, mother or policeman may row the boat.
Can you get them all across?
[/ QUOTE ]
Here's a
link to a flash version
Hint: <font color="white"> it takes 9 trips across </font>