River IQ Test

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The River IQ Test (aka River IQ Game) is a mental puzzle. The name originates as it supposedly is given as an IQ test to job applicants in China. The puzzle is in Chinese, but can be completed with ease once the rules have been translated.

Screen shot at the start of the puzzle. Clearly shows game characters and river.

[edit] The aim

The object is to get everyone (father, two sons, mother, two daughters, police officer and thief) from one side of the river bank to the other while certain rules apply.

[edit] The rules

The following rules aplly:

1. Only two persons on the raft at any time
2. The father can not stay with any of the daughters without their mother's presence
3. The mother can not stay with any of the sons without their father's presence
4. The thief (striped shirt) can not stay with any family member if the police officer is not there
5. Only the father, the mother and the police officer know how to operate the raft

[edit] Solution

Initially the puzzle seams daunting with a large number of possible moves, however there is in fact very little choice as the wrong moves prevent any further moves. There is only one possible solution that will produce least number of moves.

[edit] See also

• Transport puzzle
• River crossing puzzle
• Fox, goose and bag of beans puzzle
• Missionaries and cannibals problem

[edit] External links

• Online Macromedia Flash version