# Is there a solution to this? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 27, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-solution-to-this/215581 "2003-11-27T15:39:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anal\_Scurvy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c57346/32.png) [@Anal\_Scurvy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anal_Scurvy)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-solution-to-this/215581/1 "2003-11-27T15:39:16Z")
> **[Welcome to Dilbert](https://dilbert.com/)** > > The Official Dilbert Website featuring Scott Adams Dilbert strips, animation, mashups and more starring Dilbert, Dogbert, Wally, The Pointy Haired Boss, Alice, Asok, Dogberts New Ruling Class and more. Read today’s strip. Is there a solution to the problem outside of insurance fraud? ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-solution-to-this/215581/2 "2003-11-27T15:43:07Z")
You take the fox over first then go back for a chicken. You then drop the chicken of and take the fox back with you. You then drop off the fox and take the second chicken to the first chicken. you then cross the river again by yourself and pick up the fox and head back to the chickens. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-solution-to-this/215581/3 "2003-11-27T15:44:13Z")
Take fox, return empty, take chicken, return with fox, take chicken, return empty, take fox. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-solution-to-this/215581/4 "2003-11-27T15:45:51Z")
Wow. In the time it took Dilbert to load for me, two people answered this before I got the chance. ---
**Author:** ![Anal\_Scurvy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c57346/32.png) [@Anal\_Scurvy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anal_Scurvy)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-solution-to-this/215581/5 "2003-11-27T15:51:25Z")
I could never get into these problems. I know if I physically had a fox, two chickens, and a boat in front of me and it was a real problem, the solution would seem obvious. On paper I’m not good at them. ---
**Author:** ![Chavardz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@Chavardz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chavardz)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-solution-to-this/215581/6 "2003-11-27T15:51:32Z")
How about three cannibals and three priests. You have to get al six across. Rules: Cannibals will only eat priests when left with one priest The boat cannot return empty. I haven’t been able to solve it. [Answer here](http://www.jimloy.com/puzz/cannibal.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-solution-to-this/215581/7 "2003-11-27T15:56:49Z")
**Chavardz** , please clarify. If one cannibal is left with one priest, will the cannibal eat the priest or do the cannibals have to outnumber the priest too? Won’t three cannibals eat two priests? ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-solution-to-this/215581/8 "2003-11-27T17:51:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chavardz \* > \*\*How about three cannibals and three priests. You have to get al six across. Rules: > > Cannibals will only eat priests when left with one priest > The boat cannot return empty. > > I haven’t been able to solve it. > > [Answer here](http://www.jimloy.com/puzz/cannibal.htm) \*\* Of course not unless you specify you can bring two passengers with you as your link says you can. Peace. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-solution-to-this/215581/9 "2003-11-27T21:25:18Z")
Take two cannibals across, return with one. Take two cannibals across, return with one. Take one cannibal, one priest across, return with priest. Take two priests across, return with two cannibals. Take one priest, one cannibal across, return with one cannibal. Take two cannibals across, mission completed. But then, if you can’t trust the cannibals to behave themselves, they’ll probably attack you as you ferry them across the river, come back for the third cannibal, and sail off together for Tahiti.