Henry Ernest Dudeney/Puzzles and Curious Problems/260 - Stepping Stones

Puzzles and Curious Problems by Henry Ernest Dudeney: $260$

Stepping Stones

The diagram represents eight stepping-stones across a stream.

The puzzle is to start from the lower bank and land twice on the upper bank (stopping there),

having returned once to the lower bank.

But you must be careful to use each stepping-stone the same number of times.

In how few steps can you make the crossing?

Make the steps with two fingers in the diagram, and you will see what a very simple matter it is.

Yet it is more than likely that you will at first take a great many more steps than are necessary.

Sources

• 1932: Henry Ernest Dudeney: Puzzles and Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Moving Counter Problems: $260$. -- Stepping Stones
• 1968: Henry Ernest Dudeney: 536 Puzzles & Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Unclassified Puzzles: $522$. Stepping Stones