Can You Solve This Interview Puzzle from Japan in Under 15 Minutes?

Dear Citehr'ites,

This problem was given to some of the candidates during their interview in Japan. The smart ones solved it within 15 minutes. Now show how smart you are.

Raj

I have heard a similar type of IQ question involving a tiger, a goat, and a leaf. The challenge is to transport them to the other side of a river in a boat one by one. If the tiger is dropped off first, the goat will eat the leaf. Conversely, if the leaf is dropped off first, the goat will be eaten by the tiger. I am currently unable to recall the exact story, but it is a popular tale from the Indian countryside. The IQ scenario described above is inspired by that particular story.

Solution:

Police and stripe girl ride first. Police comes back and takes a boy to the other side. Police and stripe girl come back. Father takes the 2nd son to the other side, and he comes back. Father and mother go along to the other shore. Father stays there, and mother comes back. Now, the father and 2 sons are on the other side.

Now, Police and stripe girl go to the other side, and father comes back. Father and mother go to the other side, and mother comes back. Mom and girl 1 go to the other side. Police and stripe girl come back. Police and girl go to the other side, and police comes back to take the stripe girl back. They all cross the water.

Please tell me that there is some simple answer to this. Cheers and have fun.

Good job! In my first attempt, I was able to complete it within 10 minutes. However, the second time took me more than 20 minutes. Anyway, from the third attempt onwards, it took less than 3 minutes.