Story Problem-> i don't get it!!! help its due tomarrow!!!! help!?

Question

In deepest Arica there once were 3 missonares who had converted 3 cannibals and they were leading them back to civilization. When they reach the Congo River, they relized that they have a problem ferrying the cannibals across because their boat can only carry 2 peolpe at a time. It was not safe to let the Cannibal out number the missionaries at anytime (in the boat or on land) To complicate matters futher, only one of the Cannibals, the King knew how to row a boat, although all the missonaries could handle the boat. How many trips are required to across?
help please!!!!!!

Answer 1

Hmmm...doesn't sound like the cannibals are fully converted.

m = missionary
k = king cannibal
c = other cannibal (not king)

m and c row across
m rows back
(c is on the far side)

c and k row across
k rows back
(2c are on the far side)

2m row across
m and c row back
(m and c are on the far side)

m and k row across
2m row back
(c and k are on the far side)

2m row across
mc row back
(m and k are on the far side)

2m row across
k rows back
(3m are on the far side)

c and k row across
k rows back
(3m and c are on the far side)

c and k row across
(all are on the far side)

Answer 2

You cand find the answer here:
http://www.ai.sri.com/~sipe/m-c.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missionaries_and_cannibals_problem