Five men and five dogs (each man owned a dog) went hiking. They encountered a river that was swift and deep. The only way to cross it was an abandoned boat, left ashore on their side. But it would only hold three living things. Unfortunately, the dogs were edgy and could not be near another person (not even momentarily) unless its owner was present. One of the dogs attended a highly advanced, highly specialized obedience school and therefore knew how to operate the boat -- the other dogs lack this skill.

How did the five men and the five dogs cross the river?

You wrote "Unfortunately, the dogs were edgy and could not be near another PERSON (not even momentarily) unless its owner was present." So it is possible for a dog to be near another DOG without its owner being present. A ha !!!!! Your little oversight allows an easy solution.....

Let's call the men Melvin, Ichabod, Lucius, Mortimer, and Murray, who own, respectively, the dogs Rover, Fido, King, RinTinTin and Spot. Spot is the canine boat-operating genius. Murray owns Spot.

(1) Spot sails across with Rover and Fido. On the other shore, Spot carefully leads Rover and Fido to separate areas, isolated from each other. Then Spot returns.
(2) Spot sails across with King and RinTinTin. He then leads King and RinTinTin to separate areas, isolated from each other and from Rover and Fido. Then Spot returns.
(3) Spot sails across with Melvin (the owner of Rover) and Murray. Melvin gets out and joins Rover. Spot and Murray sail back to the other shore.
(4) Spot sails across with Ichabod (the owner of Fido) and Murray. Ichabod gets out and joins Fido. Spot and Murray sail back to the other shore.
(5) Spot sails across with Lucius (the owner of King) and Murray. Lucius gets out and joins King. Spot and Murray sail back to the other shore.
(6) Spot sails across with Mortimer (the owner of RinTinTin) and Murray. Mortimer gets out and joins RinTinTin. Spot and Murray also get out.
(7) The five men and five dogs now join together on the opposite shore.
QED
Edited on September 18, 2003, 8:23 pm

Posted by Dan on 2003-09-18 20:08:52