1134: Logic Boat

2012-11-18T22:32:49Z

131.111.185.40: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1134
| date = November 14, 2012
| title = Logic Boat
| image = logic boat.png
| imagesize =
| titletext = Or a cabbage, for that matter. Goats make sense. Goats are fine.
}}

==Explanation==
The comic is a play on the {{w|Fox, goose and bag of beans puzzle|well-known logic puzzle}} where a fictional subject has to ferry three objects in a vehicle of limited capacity. Puzzle rules prohibit leaving certain pairs of objects alone unattended. The traditional solution to the puzzle in the comic would be:

#Take goat across.
#Go back alone.
#Take cabbage across.
#Take back goat.
#Take wolf across.
#Go back alone.
#Take goat across.

By leaving the wolf behind, four steps are saved and the troublesome wolf is eliminated from the picture.
It is also a jab on the idea that logic puzzles have one pre-defined solution. The goal is often to keep the other person guessing until they arrive at the pre-defined solution, no matter how many other correct solution they arrive at. The shown solution is entirely valid yet wouldn't be accepted by someone telling you the puzzle.

The title text goes further, questioning the value of keeping the cabbage as well.

==Transcript==
:Problem:
:[Two islands are on either side of the screen. Cueball is standing on the left island with a wolf, goat, cabbage and boat. The islands are separated by a body of water.]
:The boat only holds two, but you can't leave the goat with the cabbage or the wolf with the goat.

:Solution:
:[Cueball in a boat with the goat]
:1. Take the goat accross.

:[Cueball in the boat alone]
:2. Return alone.

:[Cueball in the boat with the cabbage]
:3. Take the cabbage across.

:[Boat is tethered and Cueball walks away with the goat and cabbage.
:4. Leave the wolf.
:Why did you have a wolf?

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]

explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

1134: Logic Boat