Q. A farmer has a fox, goose and a bag of grain, and one boat to cross a stream, which is only big enough to take one of the three across with him at a time. If left alone together, the fox would eat the goose and the goose would eat the grain. How can the farmer get all three across the stream?

Ans. Before I try to solve any problem I usually draw a picture and even though I don't here, I did when I solved it (highly recommended). The first trip requires the farmer to take the goose across, because it cannot be left with either grain or the fox. On the next trip, the farmer may take either fox or grain, but then he must bring back the goose. On the third trip, the farmer takes the remaining item, but leaves the goose on the first shore. He then makes a fourth trip to bring the goose. Thus, four trips are required, and the goose ends up crossing three times.