how can the Boardman do his job?

Question

A Boatman is to transport a fox, a goose and a sack of corn across the river. There is room in his boat for only one of the three at a time. Furthermore, if the fox and the goose are left together, the fox will eat the goose. If the goose and the corn are left together, the goose will eat the corn. How can the Boatman do the job?

Answer 1

Let A = the starting bank of the river and B = the other bank

1. Take the goose across to bank B first, leaving the fox and corn on bank A
2. Go back and take the corn across to bank B.  Then take the goose back to bank A
3. Leave the goose on bank A and take the fox across to bank B
4. Go back to bank A and take the goose across to bank B