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Tricky River Crossing Puzzle – Can You Solve It ?

riverThis one is a bit of a tricky river crossing puzzle than you might have solved till now.

There is a family gone on a picnic on one of the sides of the river. The family includes Mother, Father, two of their sons, two of their daughters, a servant and their pet dog named Tommy. In order to go to the other side of the river they need to cross the river. Since the bridge is broken, the only way they can cross the river is through the boat.

There is a condition with the boat. Only two persons can go on the boat at a time (considering Tommy as one person)

The other problems that they face are:

1. The servant can’t leave Tommy with the rest of the family or it would bite them.

2. They can’t leave father with daughters without mother.

3. In same way Mother can’t be left with sons without father

Also an adult is needed to drive the boat and it can’t drive by itself.

How will they reach the other side of the river ?

CLICK HERE to give your answer in the comments section

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19 Responses to Tricky River Crossing Puzzle – Can You Solve It ?

  1. Jaffar Ali January 6, 2014 at 2:21 PM #

    1. Father & mother – Father returns mother alone at other side
    2. Father & son1 – Father returns mother with one son not sons
    3. Father & son 2 – Mother returns Father with 2 sons
    4. Mother & daughter 1 – Mother returns Father with sons and one daughter not daughters
    5.Mother & daughter 2 – father returns mother with 2 sons & 2 daughters
    6. Servant & Tommy – Mother returns servant & tommy on other side together
    7. father & mother reached finally …!!!!!!!

  2. Jaffar Ali January 6, 2014 at 2:15 PM #

    1. Father & mother – Father Returns
    2. Father & Son1 – Father Returns
    3. Father & Son2 – Mother Returns
    4. Mother & daughter 1 – Mother returns
    5. Mother & daughter 2 – Father Returns
    6. Servant & Tommy – Mother returns
    7. Father & Mother – reached finaly…..

    Note: Mother stays with one son not sons ….

  3. Hodaa January 1, 2014 at 11:03 PM #

    Sorry for the confusion
    There are many variations of this riddle. The easiest one (and the one here) is Mothers can not be left with ONLY sons and vice versa for fathers. Tommy can not be alone, as explained in (1).

  4. Farzana Osman December 27, 2013 at 11:42 PM #

    Saajida Naaz has it correct

    • Raashid December 29, 2013 at 1:25 AM #

      1) First Servant and Tommy Crossed , Servant return
      2) Servant with Son Crossed and Servant return with Tommy
      3) Farther with 2nd son Crossed and Farther return
      4) Mother and Farther Crossed , Mother return
      5) Servant and Tommy Crossed Farther return
      6) Mother and Father Crossed and Mother return
      7) Mother and Daughter Crossed Mother and Farther return
      8) Mother and 2nd Daughter Crossed Mother return
      9) Finally Mother and Farther crossed the river

    • Yashmitha December 29, 2013 at 11:32 PM #

      But Tommy can’t be left alone with the servant… thats the first condition!!

      • Sana - Editor FFJ December 30, 2013 at 9:42 AM #

        No Yashmitha. Tommy can’t be left alone with rest of the family. Tommy loves the servant so no harm in leaving Tommy and Servant alone 😀

  5. Nazeem December 27, 2013 at 8:27 PM #

    01) Two Boys (A&B) goes – Boy (A) return
    02) Father & Boy (A) goes – Father return
    03) Servant & Tommy goes – Boy (A) return
    04) Father & Boy (A) goes – Father return
    05) Girls (A&B) goes – Boy (A) return
    06) Father & Boy (A) goes – Father return
    07) Finally Father & Motner goes

    • Fatikh December 30, 2013 at 6:49 PM #

      wrong adult must steer

  6. Sajida Naaz December 27, 2013 at 6:13 PM #

    1.Servant & Tommy, Servant returns

    2.Servant & son1 , Servant & Tommy returns

    3.Father & son2 , Father returns

    4.Father & mother , mother returns

    5.servant & tommy , father returns

    6.father & mother , mother returns

    7.mother & daughter1 ,servant & tommy returns

    8.servant & daughter2 , servant returns

    9.sarvant & tommy

    • sk ashif akram December 29, 2013 at 3:21 PM #

      I think this answer is most plausible one but the Question has to be clearer!

    • Hodaa January 1, 2014 at 11:04 PM #

      Correct! 🙂 Good Job

      • Hodaa January 1, 2014 at 11:06 PM #

        Sajida Naaz has it right

  7. Khurram Khan December 27, 2013 at 5:06 PM #

    1. Mother takes her daughter, returns
    2. She takes her another daughter, returns
    3. Father takes mother, returns
    4. Father takes tommy, returns
    5. Servant takes father, returns
    6. Servant takes a son
    7. Finally Servant takes 2nd son

  8. Shakil December 27, 2013 at 5:05 PM #

    1- father drives boat takes one son across
    2- father goes back take 2nd son across
    3- father goes back
    4- Daughter takes her sister across
    5- Daughter goes back takes mother across
    6- Mother goes back takes Father across
    7- Father goes back takes Servant across
    8- Servant goes back takes Tommy across.

    Voila; assuming Sons and Daughters are adults.
    If not then the arrangement is more complicated but similar involving a few return trips with 2 people. Too long to detail here.

  9. sk ashif akram December 27, 2013 at 3:47 PM #

    The Question is not clear!!!!

    • Sana - Editor FFJ December 27, 2013 at 3:55 PM #

      What is not clear ?

      • Sk Ashif Akram December 27, 2013 at 5:14 PM #

        “Mother can’t be left with sons” Only with sons? or sons+daughters!
        Same with Fathers
        Daughters and Sons are adults? because one adult has to be on boat!
        Can Tommy be left alone???

        It may be that I’ve difficulty Understanding!!! But would be happy if made clearer!

        • Sana - Editor FFJ December 30, 2013 at 9:41 AM #

          Okay, I will inform the contributor of this riddle and she will clear it for you 🙂