What is the smallest number of ducks that can swim in this formation- two ducks in front of a duck two ducks behind a duck and a duck between two ducks?

Answer 1

the answer is 7

D D

D D D

D D

2 ducks in front of the duck in bold italic

2 ducks behind the duck in bold italic

1 duck on either side of the duck in bold italic, so the duck in bold italic is between two ducks

Answer 2

You may start with 1 duck and add more until all statements are true. Note that each statement requires "two ducks" and "a duck". The three statements are from the perspective of each of the ducks

Duck --- 2 ducks behind me

Duck -- a duck between two ducks

Duck --- 2 ducks in front of me