Escape from the Island: The Johnson Family’s Journey
The Challenge
Dr. Johnson and his family find themselves stranded on an island and must return to the shore. They face a significant limitation: the rowboat can only accommodate a maximum weight of 90 kg, and none of them are capable of swimming.
Family Weights
To understand the situation better, here are the weights of each family member:
– Dr. Johnson: 85 kg
– Mrs. Johnson (his wife): 65 kg
– Their son: 45 kg
– Their daughter: 40 kg
– The dog: 8 kg
The Solution
The family devises a plan to reach the shore safely. Here is the step-by-step process they follow:
1. The son and daughter row to shore together.
2. The daughter exits the boat, and the son returns alone.
3. The son then gets out, allowing Mrs. Johnson and the dog to cross together.
4. After they reach the shore, both Mrs. Johnson and the dog exit the boat.
5. The daughter rows back to the island to retrieve her brother.
6. The son and daughter cross the water again.
7. The daughter gets out, and the son returns to collect Dr. Johnson.
8. Finally, the son rows Dr. Johnson to shore.
9. The daughter returns once more to the island to accompany her brother back to safety.
Through careful planning, the Johnson family successfully makes it to the shore despite the weight restrictions of the rowboat.