Puzzles

In this puzzle you need to find a way of swapping the pink and blue frogs.

Start with 2 pink frogs on the left and 2 blue frogs on the right and one empty space between them:

2 pink frogs, one behind the other facing the middle, an open space in the middle, 2 blue frogs, one behind the other facing the middle.

Rules:

  • A frog can step into the empty space.
  • A frog can jump over another frog into the empty space.
  • A frog can’t jump over more than one frog at a time.
  • A frog can not move backwards

Is it possible to move the frogs so the pink frogs end up on the right and the blue frogs end up on the left like this:

2 blue frogs on the left, one behind the other facing the left, an open space in the middle, 2 pink frogs on the right, one behind the other facing right.

You can explore this puzzle using buttons or coins or an online version.

Variations:

  • Change the number of blue and pink frogs (3 blue, 3 pink then 4 blue, 4 pink)
    • Keep a record of how many moves it takes to swap them over
  • Can you make any predictions about how many moves you will need to swap over any number of red frogs and blue frogs?

Source: NRichmaths.org